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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. spænd, 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
(Span) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spanned ; p. pr. & vb. n. Spanning.] [AS. pannan; akin to D. & G.
spannen, OHG. spannan, Sw. spänna, Dan. spænde, Icel. spenna, and perh. to Gr. to draw, to drag,
L. spatium space. &radic170. 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
(Span), v. i. To be matched, as horses. [U. S.]
Spanæmia
(||Spa*næ"mi*a) n. [NL., fr. Gr. scarce + blood.] (Med.) A condition of impoverishment of the
blood; a morbid state in which the red corpuscles, or other important elements of the blood, are deficient.
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