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Spanned

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span

1  [span] ,noun, verb, spanned, span⋅ning.
Use Spanned in a Sentence
–noun
1. the distance between the tip of the thumb and the tip of the little finger when the hand is fully extended.
2. a unit of length corresponding to this distance, commonly taken as 9 in. (23 cm).
3. a distance, amount, piece, etc., of this length or of some small extent: a span of lace.
4. Civil Engineering, Architecture.
a. the distance between two supports of a structure.
b. the structure so supported.
c. the distance or space between two supports of a bridge.
5. the full extent, stretch, or reach of anything: a long span of memory.
6. Aeronautics. the distance between the wing tips of an airplane.
7. a limited space of time, as the term or period of living: Our span on earth is short.
8. Mathematics. the smallest subspace of a vector space that contains a given element or set of elements.
–verb (used with object)
9. to measure by the hand with the thumb and little finger extended.
10. to encircle with the hand or hands, as the waist.
11. to extend over or across (a section of land, a river, etc.).
12. to provide with something that extends over: to span a river with a bridge.
13. to extend or reach over (space or time): a memory that spans 90 years.
14. Mathematics. to function (in a subspace of a vector space) as a span.
15. Archery. to bend (the bow) in preparation for shooting.
Origin:
bef. 900; (n.) ME spanne, sponne, spayn, OE span(n), spon(n); c. G Spanne, D span, ON spǫnn; (v.) ME spaynen, deriv. of the n.
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span

3  [span] ,
–verb Archaic.
a pt. of spin.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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span 1   (spān)   
n.  

  1. The extent or measure of space between two points or extremities, as of a bridge or roof; the breadth.

  2. The distance between the tips of the wings of an airplane.

  3. The section between two intermediate supports of a bridge.

  4. Something, such as a railroad trestle or bridge, that extends from one point to another.

  5. The distance from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger when the hand is fully extended, formerly used as a unit of measure equal to about nine inches (23 centimeters).

  6. A period of time: a span of life.

tr.v.   spanned, span·ning, spans

  1. To measure by or as if by the fully extended hand.

  2. To encircle with the hand or hands in or as if in measuring.

  3. To extend across in space or time: a bridge that spans the gorge; a career that spanned 40 years.


[Middle English, unit of measurement, from Old English spann; see (s)pen- in Indo-European roots.]
span 2   (spān)   
tr.v.   spanned, span·ning, spans
To bind or fetter.
n.  

  1. Nautical A stretch of rope made fast at either end.

  2. A pair of animals, such as oxen, matched in size, strength, or color and driven as a team.


[Dutch spannen, to harness, from Middle Dutch; see (s)pen- in Indo-European roots.]
span 3   (spān)   
v.   Archaic
A past tense of spin.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

span  (n.1)
"distance between two objects," O.E. span "distance between the thumb and little finger of an extended hand," probably related to M.Du. spannen "to join, fasten" (see span (n.2)). The Gmc. word was borrowed into M.L. as spannus, hence It. spanna, O.Fr. espanne, Fr. empan. As a measure of length, roughly nine inches. Meaning "length of time" first attested 1599; that of "space between abutments of an arch, etc." is from 1725. Meaning "maximum lateral dimension of an aircraft" is first recorded 1909. Attention span is recorded from 1922.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: span
Pronunciation: 'span
Function: noun
1 : an extent of distance or of time; especially : LIFE SPAN
2 : MEMORY SPAN
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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