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Definition span

Etymology 1

From Middle English spanne, from Old English spann, from Proto-Germanic *spann? (“span, handbreadth”). Compare also Old English ?espan, ?espann (“a joining; a fastening together; clasp; yoke”), from Proto-Germanic *spannaz.

Noun

span (plural spans)

1. The space from the thumb to the end of the little finger when extended; nine inches; an eighth of a fathom.
2. (by extension) A small space or a brief portion of time.
3. (architecture, construction) The spread or extent of an arch or between its abutments, or of a beam, girder, truss, roof, bridge, or the like, between supports.
4. (architecture, construction) The length of a cable, wire, rope, chain between two consecutive supports.
5. (nautical) A rope having its ends made fast so that a purchase can be hooked to the bight; also, a rope made fast in the center so that both ends can be used.
6. (US, Canada) A pair of horses or other animals driven together; usually, such a pair of horses when similar in color, form, and action.
7. (mathematics) The space of all linear combinations of something.

Etymology 2

From Middle English spannen, from Old English spannan, from Proto-Germanic *spannan? (“to stretch, span”). Cognate with German spannen, Dutch spannen.

Verb

span (third-person singular simple present spans, present participle spanning, simple past and past participle spanned)

1. (transitive) To extend through the distance between or across.
2. (transitive) To extend through (a time period).
3. (transitive) To measure by the span of the hand with the fingers extended, or with the fingers encompassing the object.
4. (mathematics) To generate an entire space by means of linear combinations.
5. (intransitive, US, dated) To be matched, as horses.
6. (transitive) To fetter, as a horse; to hobble.

Etymology 3

From Middle English span, from Old English spann, from Proto-Germanic *spann, first and third person singular preterit indicative of Proto-Germanic *spinnan? (“to spin”).

Verb

span

1. (archaic, nonstandard) simple past tense of spin

Results 336 Words with the letters SPAN

You can also try words with the phrase SPAN, words starting with the letters SPAN, or words ending in the letters SPAN.

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