span etymology

Etymology

The word "span" derives from the Old English word "spann," meaning "a measurement of length from the thumb to the little finger, or from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger with the fingers outstretched."

Meaning

• Noun:
  • A unit of length equal to the distance from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger when outstretched, approximately 9 inches or 22.9 centimeters.
  • A period of time, typically short.
  • A bridge or other structure that extends over a gap.
  • A team of two draft animals used to pull a wagon or plow.
• Verb:
  • To measure or extend something by using the span of one's hand.
  • To extend or stretch over a distance or period of time.
  • To bridge a gap.

Origin

The Old English word "spann" is believed to be derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*spanniz," meaning "to stretch." This Proto-Germanic word is thought to be related to the Latin word "expando," meaning "to spread out."

span relate terms

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• lifespan

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• life

  Etymology The word life originates from the Old English word līf which is derived f

• span

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• spanner

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• cross

  Etymology The word cross comes from the Old English word cros which itself is deriv

• sweep

  Etymology Old English swapan to sweep brush Proto Germanic swōpaną Proto Indo Eur

• attention

  Etymology The word attention comes from the Latin word attendere which means to dir

• pier

  Etymology The word pier has its roots in several languages Old English pere mean

• spoon

  Etymology The word spoon has its origins in the Old English word spōn which meant

• spasm

  Etymology Late Latin spasmus from Greek spasmos from spaein to draw tight pull twi

• pair

  Etymology Pair comes from the Old French word paire which in turn originated from th

• motion

  Etymology The word motion comes from the Latin word motus which means movement or

• bridge

  Etymology The word bridge originates from the Old English word brycg which is deriv