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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, a small space or a brief portion of time. [ 1913 Webster ]

Yet not to earth's contracted span
Thy goodness let me bound. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

Life's but a span; I'll every inch enjoy. Farquhar. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. [ Cf. D. span, Sw. spann, Dan. spaend, 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spanned p. pr. & vb. n. Spanning. ] [ AS. pannan; akin to D. & G. spannen, OHG. spannan, Sw. spänna, Dan. spaende, Icel. spenna, and perh. to Gr. &unr_; 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

My right hand hath spanned the heavens. Isa. xiviii. 13. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To reach from one side of to the order; to stretch over as an arch. [ 1913 Webster ]

The rivers were spanned by arches of solid masonry. prescott. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To fetter, as a horse; to hobble. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To be matched, as horses. [ U. S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL., fr. Gr. &unr_; scarce + &unr_; blood. ] (Med.) A condition of impoverishment of the blood; a morbid state in which the red corpuscles, or other important elements of the blood, are deficient. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. (Med.) Of or pertaining to spanaemia; having impoverished blood. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spanceled r Spancelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Spanceling or Spancelling. ] To tie or hobble with a spancel. [ Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S. ] Malone. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Perhaps span + AS. sāl a rope. ] A rope used for tying or hobbling the legs of a horse or cow. [ Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S. ] Grose. [ 1913 Webster ]

prop. n. An elastic textile material, used for clothing [ Trade name ] [ PJC ]