Hypertext Webster Gateway: "spanning"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Span \Span\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Spanned}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Spanning}.] [AS. pannan; akin to D. & G. spannen, OHG.
spannan, Sw. sp["a]nna, Dan. sp[ae]nde, Icel. spenna, and
perh. to Gr. ? to draw, to drag, L. spatium space. [root]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.
My right hand hath spanned the heavens. --Isa.
xiviii. 13.
2. To reach from one side of to the order; to stretch over as
an arch.
The rivers were spanned by arches of solid masonry.
--prescott.
3. To fetter, as a horse; to hobble.
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