span
noun
[ span ]
• the full extent of something from end to end; the amount of space that something covers.
• "a warehouse with a clear span of 28 feet"
• the length of time for which something lasts.
• "a short concentration span"
span
verb
• (of a bridge, arch, etc.) extend from side to side of.
• "the stream was spanned by a narrow bridge"
• extend across (a period of time or a range of subjects).
• "their interests span almost all the conventional disciplines"
Origin:
Old English, ‘distance between the tips of the thumb and little finger’, of Germanic origin; reinforced in Middle English by Old French espan .
span
noun
• a rope with its ends fastened at different points to a spar or other object in order to provide a purchase.
• a matched pair of horses, mules, or oxen.
• a lot.
• "thanks a span"
span
verb
• yoke (an animal).
• "he spanned his donkeys to the cart"
Origin:
mid 16th century (as a verb): from Dutch or Low German spannen . The noun (originally in nautical use) dates from the mid 18th century.
span
adjective
• see spick and span.
span
verb
• archaic or non-standard past of spin.
spin
verb
• turn or cause to turn or whirl round quickly.
• "the girl spun round in alarm"
Similar:
revolve,
rotate,
turn,
turn round,
go round,
whirl,
gyrate,
circle,
wheel,
twirl,
swing,
twist,
swivel,
pirouette,
pivot,
swirl,
birl,
• draw out and twist (the fibres of wool, cotton, or other material) to convert them into yarn, either by hand or with machinery.
• "an old lady sat, spinning thread"
• give (a news story) a particular emphasis or bias.
• "ministers may now find it difficult to use the programme to spin stories in their favour"
• fish with a spinner.
• "they were spinning for salmon in the lake"
Origin:
Old English spinnan ‘draw out and twist (fibre’); related to German spinnen . The noun dates from the mid 19th century.
