Span , v. i. To be matched, as horses. [U. S.]
Span (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spanned (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Spanning.]
[AS. pannan; akin to D. & G. spannen, OHG. spannan, Sw.
spänna, Dan. spænde, Icel. spenna, and perh. to Gr. &?; to draw, to drag, L. spatium space. √170. Cf. Spin, v. t., Space, Spasm.] 1. 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.
My right hand
hath spanned the
heavens.
Isa. xiviii. 13. 2.
To reach from one side
of to the order; to stretch over as an arch.
The
rivers were spanned by arches of solid masonry.
prescott. 3. To fetter, as a horse; to hobble.
Span , n. [AS. spann; akin to D. span, OHG. spanna, G.
spanne, Icel. spönn. √170. See Span, v. t. ]
1.
The space from the thumb to the
end of the little finger when extended; nine inches; eighth of a fathom.
2. Hence, a small space or a brief portion of time.
Yet
not to earth's contracted span
Thy goodness let me bound.
Pope. Life's but a span; I'll every inch enjoy.
Farquhar. 3. The spread or extent of an
arch between its abutments, or of a beam, girder, truss, roof, bridge, or the like, between its supports.
4. (Naut.) 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.
5. [Cf. D. span, Sw. spann, Dan.
spænd, G.
gespann. See Span,
v. t. ] A pair of horses
or other animals driven together; usually, such a pair of horses when similar in color, form, and action.
Span blocks (Naut.), blocks at the topmast and topgallant-mast heads, for the studding-sail halyards.
-- Span counter,
an old English child's game, in which one throws a counter on
the ground, and another tries to hit it with his counter, or to get his counter so near it that
he can span
the space between them, and touch both the counters.
Halliwell. "Henry V., in whose time
boys went to span counter for French crowns." Shak.
-- Span iron
(Naut.), a special
kind of harpoon, usually secured just
below the gunwale of a
whaleboat. -- Span
roof, a common roof, having two slopes and one ridge, with eaves on both
sides. Gwilt. -- Span shackle (Naut.), a
large bolt driven through the forecastle deck, with a triangular shackle in the head to receive the heel of the old-fashioned fish davit. Ham. Nav.
Encyc.
Span (?), archaic imp. & p. p. of Spin.
Hear it pronounced