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   span

   /span/

   noun

   • 1. 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" Similar (full) extentlengthwidthreachstretchspreaddistancecompassrange
   • ▪ the wingspan of an aircraft or a bird: "the gannets had black-tipped wings with a six-foot span" Similar (full) extentlengthwidthreachstretchspreaddistancecompassrange
   • ▪ an arch or part of a bridge between piers or supports: "a major setback was the collapse of one span of a flyover"
   • ▪ the maximum distance between the tips of the thumb and little finger, taken as the basis of a measurement equal to 9 inches.
   • 2. the length of time for which something lasts: "a short concentration span" Similar periodspacetimedurationstretchcourseintervalseasonterm
   • ▪ a short distance or time. archaic

   verb

   • 1. (of a bridge, arch, etc.) extend from side to side of: "the stream was spanned by a narrow bridge" Similar bridgecrosstraversepass overarch overvault over
   • ▪ cover or enclose with the length of one's hand: "her waist was slender enough for him to span with his hands"
   • 2. extend across (a period of time or a range of subjects): "their interests span almost all the conventional disciplines" Similar extend overlaststretch acrossspread overcoverrange overcomprisecompass

   Word Origin Old English, ‘distance between the tips of the thumb and little finger’, of Germanic origin; reinforced in Middle English by Old French espan.

   Scrabble Points: 6

   • S

     1

   • P

     3

   • A

     1

   • N

     1

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