span¹ ◙ noun 1. the full extent of something from end to end; the amount of space that something covers • 全长；距离；范围 »a warehouse with a clear span of 28 feet. 一个占地整整28英尺的仓库。 the length of time for which something lasts • 持续时间；一段时间 »a short concentration span. 短期的集中时间段。 the wingspan of an aircraft or a bird • 飞机的翼展；鸟翼 an arch or part of a bridge between piers or supports • 桥孔；（桥墩间的）墩距 the maximum distance between the tips of the thumb and little finger, taken as the basis of a measurement equal to 9 inches • 拇指尖与小指尖之间的最大距离（常作测量的基础，等于9英寸） (archaic)a short distance or time • [古] 短距离；短促的时间 ◙ (spanned, spanning) 1. [with obj.] (of a bridge, arch, etc.) extend from side to side of • （桥、拱等）横跨，跨越 »the stream was spanned by a narrow bridge. 一座窄窄的小桥横跨在小河上。 extend across (a period of time or a range of subjects) • 持续（一段时间）；包括，涉及（一系列的主题） »their interests span almost all the conventional disciplines. 他们的兴趣覆盖了几乎所有的传统科目。 cover or enclose with the length of one's hand • 用手覆盖（或环绕） »her waist was slender enough for him to span with his hands. 她的腰肢纤细，他用双手就可以环绕过来。
【语源】
1. Old English, 'distance between the tips of the thumb and little finger', of Germanic origin; reinforced in Middle English by Old French espanspan² ◙ noun 1. [Nautical] a rope with its ends fastened at different points to a spar or other object in order to provide a purchase • [航海] 跨绳 2. a team of people or animals, in particular • 一队人（或动物），尤指 [N. Amer.] a matched pair of horses, mules, or oxen • [北美] 共轭马（或骡子、公牛） [S. African] a team of two or more pairs of oxen • [南非] 一队包括两组（或两组以上）的共轭牛 [S. African] a gang, especially a work gang of prisoners • [南非] 一伙人（尤指一伙参加劳动的犯人） 3. (a span)[S. African informal] a lot • [南非，非正式] 很多 »thanks a span. 多谢了。 ◙ verb 1. [with obj.] [S. African] yoke (an animal) • [南非] 给（动物）套上轭 »he spanned his donkeys to the cart. 他把驴子套在大车上。
【语源】
1. mid 16th cent. (as a verb): from Dutch or Low German spannen. The noun (originally in nautical use) dates from the mid 18th centspan³ ◙ adjective --› seespick and spanspan4(chiefly archaic)[主古] 1. past of spin • spin 的过去式