\Span\, archaic
imp. & p. p. of {Spin}.

\Span\, n. [AS. spann; akin to D. span, OHG. spanna, G.
spanne, Icel. sp["o]nn. [root]170. See {Span}, v. t. ]
1. The space from the thumb to the end of the little finger
   when extended; nine inches; eighth of a fathom.
2. Hence, a small space or a brief portion of time.
         Yet not to earth's contracted span Thy goodness let
         me bound.                             --Pope.
         Life's but a span; I'll every inch enjoy.
                                               --Farquhar.
3. The spread or extent of an arch between its abutments, or
   of a beam, girder, truss, roof, bridge, or the like,
   between its supports.
4. (Naut.) A rope having its ends made fast so that a
   purchase can be hooked to the bight; also, a rope made
   fast in the center so that both ends can be used.
5. [Cf. D. span, Sw. spann, Dan. sp[ae]nd, G. gespann. See
   {Span}, v. t. ] A pair of horses or other animals driven
   together; usually, such a pair of horses when similar in
   color, form, and action.
{Span blocks} (Naut.), blocks at the topmast and
   topgallant-mast heads, for the studding-sail halyards.
{Span counter}, an old English child's game, in which one
   throws a counter on the ground, and another tries to hit
   it with his counter, or to get his counter so near it that
   he can span the space between them, and touch both the
   counters. --Halliwell. ``Henry V., in whose time boys went
   to span counter for French crowns.'' --Shak.
{Span iron} (Naut.), a special kind of harpoon, usually
   secured just below the gunwale of a whaleboat.
{Span roof}, a common roof, having two slopes and one ridge,
   with eaves on both sides. --Gwilt.
{Span shackle} (Naut.), a large bolt driven through the
   forecastle deck, with a triangular shackle in the head to
   receive the heel of the old-fashioned fish davit. --Ham.
   Nav. Encyc.

\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.

\Span\, v. i.
To be matched, as horses. [U. S.]