Span
[spæn]
Definition
(noun.) the distance or interval between two points.
(noun.) a unit of length based on the width of the expanded human hand (usually taken as 9 inches).
(noun.) the complete duration of something; 'the job was finished in the span of an hour'.
Checked by Giselle--From WordNet
Definition
(-) imp. & p. p. of Spin.
(v. t.) The space from the thumb to the end of the little finger when extended; nine inches; eighth of a fathom.
(v. t.) Hence, a small space or a brief portion of time.
(v. t.) The spread or extent of an arch between its abutments, or of a beam, girder, truss, roof, bridge, or the like, between its supports.
(v. t.) 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.
(v. t.) A pair of horses or other animals driven together; usually, such a pair of horses when similar in color, form, and action.
(v. t.) To measure by the span of the hand with the fingers extended, or with the fingers encompassing the object; as, to span a space or distance; to span a cylinder.
(v. t.) To reach from one side of to the order; to stretch over as an arch.
(v. t.) To fetter, as a horse; to hobble.
(v. i.) To be matched, as horses.
(imp.) of Spin
Typist: Terrence
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Nine inches.[2]. Brief period.[3]. [U. S.] Pair (of horses).
Typed by Edwina
Definition
adv. wholly—in Span′-new Spick′-and-span.
n. a yoke of horses or oxen.
n. the space from the end of the thumb to the end of the little-finger when the fingers are extended: nine inches: the spread of an arch between its abutments: a space of time the full duration of anything: extent of stretch as the spread of a man's arms in measuring trees &c.—v.t. to measure by spans: to measure: to embrace:—pr.p. span′ning; pa.t. and pa.p. spanned.—ns. Span′-coun′ter Span′-far′thing a game played by one throwing a coin or counter on the ground and another trying to throw his so near it that he can span the distance between the two.—adjs. Span′less that cannot be spanned or measured; Span′-long of the length of a span.—n. Span′ner one who spans: an iron tool or lever used to tighten the nuts of screws.
Checked by Jerome
Examples
- There were numerous dragon flies--one found in the Belgian coal-measures had a wing span of twenty-nine inches! H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- The span is made of either hard wood or ivory. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Before that time, a span in a bridge of 100 feet was considered remarkably long. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- The difference between them is largely one of time-span, influencing the directness of the connection of means and ends. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- The bridges are of a single span--a single arch--of cut stone, without a support, and paved on top with flags of lava and ornamental pebblework. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- The bridge, 800 feet long, is a single span, supported by four enormous cables of wire stretching from the Canadian cliff to the opposite United States cliff. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- Its span is 220 feet, the height of the roadway above the bed of the stream is 100 feet, and the width of the structure is 20 feet 4 inches. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- His little form and tiny lineaments encaged the embryo of the world-spanning mind of man. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- I look out at some early hour of the day, and see a fine, perfect rainbow, bright with promise, gloriously spanning the beclouded welkin of life. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Joseph works on it for two years and makes it two spans too short. Mark Twain. The Innocents Abroad.
- On the 23d Hancock's corps was moved to the wooden bridge which spans the North Anna River just west of where the Fredericksburg Railroad crosses. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- The two main spans are 1,710 feet, and these both give a clear headway for navigation of 150 feet height. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- The flanges are sunk flush into the top of the rail; thus the pocket iron spans the interstices between the rails. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Education, and education alone, spans the gap. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- There are three great spans, the central one of which has a length of about 520 feet, and the others a few feet less. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- What is the link that spans the intervening centuries? John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- Mary Chivers's mighty feats of athleticism could not have been performed with the twenty-inch waist that May Archer's azure sash so easily spanned. Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- It is supposed that greater rigidity is obtained by this means than by the suspension, and, like the suspension, great widths may be spanned without an under supporting frame work. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- It helps us to realize the shortness of all human history to see so many generations spanned by the endurance of one single tree. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- Soon the flames had spanned the road to the south and cut off Canler's return. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
Typed by Harley