span¹ / span/ • n. 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. ∎  the wingspan of an aircraft or a bird. ∎  an arch or part of a bridge between piers or supports. ∎  the maximum distance between the tips of the thumb and little finger, taken as the basis of a measurement equal to 9 inches. ∎ archaic a short distance or time.• v. (spanned, span·ning) [tr.] (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. ∎  cover or enclose with the length of one's hand: her waist was slender enough for him to span with his hands.span² • n. 1. Naut. a rope with its ends fastened at different points to a spar or other object in order to provide a purchase.2. a team of people or animals, in particular: ∎  a matched pair of horses, mules, or oxen.span³ • adj. see spick-and-span.span⁴ chiefly archaic • past of spin.

span1 distance from tip of thumb to extended tip of little finger OE., small piece or space XIV; short space of time XVI; space between supports of an arch, etc. XVIII. OE. span(n) = MLG. spen(ne), (M)Du. spanne, OHG. spanna (G. spanne). ON. spǫnn; in ME. prob. also — OF. espan(n)e, espan (mod. empan), of Gmc. orig.
Hence vb. †seize XIV; measure with outstretched hand XVI; form an arch over XVII. perh. partly — MLG. spannen; not continuous with rel. OE. spannan. So spanner †tool for winding up the wheel lock of a firearm XVII; instrument for turning a nut, etc. XVIII. — G. spanner; see -ER1.

span. Distance apart of two supports, especially as applied to the opening of an arch or the width of a space covered by a beam, lintel, truss, etc.

span2 harness, yoke (e.g. to a vehicle) XVI; (naut.) fix, attach XVIII. — (M)Du. or (M)LG. spannen = OE. spannan, OHG. spannan (G. spannen).

Span

a pair, harnessed or yoked to match in colour, size, or both.

Examples : span of elephants, 1860; of mules; of oxen, 1893; of printing houses, 1884.