4 dictionary results for: Spanned
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
span 1 / spæn / Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation [ span ] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation noun, verb, spanned, span·ning. –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 .
7. a limited space of time, as the term or period of living: Our span on earth is short.
8. Mathematics .
–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 .
15. Archery .
[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.
]
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
span 1
Pronunciation Key
The extent or measure of space between two points or extremities, as of a bridge or roof; the breadth.
The distance between the tips of the wings of an airplane.
The section between two intermediate supports of a bridge.
Something, such as a railroad trestle or bridge, that extends from one point to another.
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).
A period of time: a span of life.
spanned , span·ning , spans
To measure by or as if by the fully extended hand.
To encircle with the hand or hands in or as if in measuring.
To extend across in space or time: a bridge that spans the gorge; a career that spanned 40 years.
unit of measurement , from Old English spann ; see (s)pen- in Indo-European roots.]
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
span 2
Pronunciation Key
spanned , span·ning , spans
Nautical A stretch of rope made fast at either end.A pair of animals, such as oxen, matched in size, strength, or color and driven as a team.
spannen , to harness , from Middle Dutch; see (s)pen- in Indo-European roots.]
(
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
(
Download Now or
Buy the Book )
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
[span] Pronunciation Key, noun, verb, spanned, span·ning. 
