span

Definition

The full width of an open hand from the end of the thumb to the end of the little finger used as an informal unit of length.

Etymology

From Middle English spanne, from Old English spann, from Proto-Germanic *spannō (“span, handbreadth”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)pend- (“to stretch”). Cognate with Dutch span, spanne, German Spanne. The sense “pair of horses” is probably from Old English ġespan, ġespann (“a joining; a fastening together; clasp; yoke”), from Proto-West Germanic [Term?]. Cognate with Dutch gespan, German Gespann.

Example Sentences

• "He has a short attention span and gets bored within minutes."
• ""Why in ten thousand years scarce will the rain and storms lessen a mountain top by a span in thickness?""
• "Yet not to Earth's contracted Span, Thy Goodneſs let me bound; […]"

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