span

Span is the amount of area or the amount of time that something encompasses.

(noun)

See span in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a unit of linear measure equal to nine inches, based on the distance between the tips of the extended thumb and little finger
1. the full amount or extent between any two limits
2. the distance between ends or supports: the span of an arch
3. the full duration (of): span of attention, the span of a person's life
a part between two supports: a bridge of four spans
wingspan
☆
Origin: borrowed in U.S. < Du span, in same sense
a team of two animals used together

Origin: ME spanne < OE sponn, akin to Ger spanne < IE *(s)pen(d)-, to pull, draw (> spin, Gr span, to pull) < base *spe-, to pull, extend

transitive verb spanned, spanning

to measure, esp. by the hand with the thumb and little finger extended
to encircle with the hand or hands, in or as in measuring
to extend, stretch, reach, or pass over or across: the bridge that spans the river
to furnish with something that extends or stretches over: to span an aisle with an arch

Origin: ME spannen < OE spannan, join: see span

transitive verb, intransitive verb

Archaic spin

See span in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

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.

transitive verb spanned 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.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English, unit of measurement

Origin: , from Old English spann; see (s)pen- in Indo-European roots

transitive verb spanned spanned, span·ning, spans

To bind or fetter.

noun