outspan

[ verb out-span; noun out-span ]

verb (used with object),out·spanned, out·span·ning.
  1. to unyoke or unhitch, as oxen from a wagon.

verb (used without object),out·spanned, out·span·ning.
  1. to remove the yoke, harness, etc., from animals.

noun
  1. the act or a place of outspanning.

Origin of outspan

1
1815–25; translation of Afrikaans uitspan;see out-, span2

Words Nearby outspan

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use outspan in a sentence

  • One of the waggons had been loaded up in the morning and sent on to the outspan; the other was ready by sundown.

    The Luck of Gerard Ridgeley | Bertram Mitford
  • The principle of the road is always outspan on the other side of a drift—that is, the opposite side from the one you arrive at.

    The Luck of Gerard Ridgeley | Bertram Mitford
  • Saddling up the horse that remained and giving orders where the waggons were to outspan, Dawes cantered away into the veldt.

    The Luck of Gerard Ridgeley | Bertram Mitford
  • “We had better get on and find our outspan,” said Dawes, after the momentary silence which had fallen upon the pair.

    The Luck of Gerard Ridgeley | Bertram Mitford
  • Ralph and Suzanne reached their outspan place in safety a little before sunset.

    Swallow | H. Rider Haggard

British Dictionary definitions for outspan

outspan

/ Southern African /


noun(ˈaʊtˌspæn)
  1. an area on a farm kept available for travellers to rest and refresh animals

  2. the act of unharnessing or unyoking

verb(ˌaʊtˈspæn) -spans, -spanning or -spanned
  1. (tr) to unharness or unyoke (animals)

  2. (intr) to relax

Origin of outspan

1
C19: partial translation of Afrikaans uitspan, from uit out + spannen to stretch

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012