Span.

1. Spaniard.

2. Spanish.

* * *

span¹ «span», noun, verb, spanned, span|ning.

–n.

1. a) the part between two supports: »

The bridge crossed the river in three spans.

b) the distance between two supports: »

The arch had a fifty-foot span.

2. Figurative. a space of time: »

This pupil has a short attention span. His life's span is nearly over. Did many talents gild thy span? (Robert Burns).

3. the distance between the tip of a man's thumb and the tip of his little finger when the hand is spread out; about 9 inches.

4. something of the length of a span; very small extent: »

There was not a span free from cultivation (Mountstuart Elphinstone).

5. the full extent or reach of anything: »

Figurative. the span of memory.

6. the lateral distance of an airplane, or of a wing, from wing tip to wing tip.

–v.t.

1. to extend over or across: »

A bridge spanned the river.

2. to measure by the hand spread out: »

This post can be spanned by one's two hands.

3. to encircle or encompass (as the waist or wrist) with the hand or hands.

4. to provide with something that stretches over or across: »

to span a river with a bridge.

5. Figurative. to reach or extend over: »

Memory spans the past.

╂[Old English spann]

span² «span», noun, verb, spanned, span|ning.

–n.

a pair of horses, mules, or other draft animals harnessed and driven together: »

... comfortable carry-alls drawn by steady spans (Booth Tarkington).

–v.t.

to harness (horses or other draft animals) to a vehicle.

╂[American English, probably < Dutch span < spannen to stretch, yoke]

span³ «span», verb.

Archaic. a past tense of spin: »

When Adam delved, and Eve span, who was then a gentleman? (John Ball).

Span.,

Spanish.

* * *

abbr.

■ Spaniard

■ Spanish