span

Everyday

1. A span is the length of time something lasts: a life span, an attention span. tree →
2. A span is the distance from one end of something to the other: the span of a bridge, a bird's wingspan. tree →
3. To span something is to stretch across it or last over it: the bridge spans the river. tree →
4. A hand span is the distance from the tip of your thumb to the tip of your little finger when your hand is spread out. tree →
5. Span new is an old way of saying brand new, as if something has never been used. tree →

In the lessons

In maths lessons on measurement, pupils measure their hand span and use it as a non-standard unit, then compare in centimetres. In science, «life span» (how long an animal lives) and «wingspan» appear in animal facts; in history, a time line can span hundreds of years. In design and technology, a bridge's span is tested with models. Phrases: «life span», «attention span», «wingspan», «hand span», «span the river», «spick and span» (very clean).

Examples

• An albatross has the biggest wingspan of any bird. tree →
• Measure your hand span with a ruler. tree →
• A mayfly's life span is only a day or two. tree →
• The bridge spans the whole river. tree →
• Small children have a short attention span. tree →
• The story spans three generations of a family. tree →
• After tidying, my room was spick and span. tree →
• So now, here's the play, brin-bran-span new! tree →

Note

Verb forms double the n: «spanned», «spanning». «Span» is also an old past form of «spin», now rare. Maths: a span is a length, so measure it in cm or m; a life span is a time, so measure it in years.

In Jewish tradition

A span is an old measure of length, the width of a spread hand. It was used for the priest's breastplate, which was a span square. Goliath was six cubits and a span tall, and Isaiah says God measured the heavens with a span, showing how great He is.

Interpretation. The breastplate held twelve stones for the twelve tribes, and tradition says Aaron wore it over his heart. Isaiah's picture is read as showing that God is far greater than the whole world.

Examples

• Four-square it shall be and double: a span shall be the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof. (Torah EXO.28.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• It was four-square; they made the breastplate double; a span was the length thereof, and a span the breadth thereof, being double. (Torah EXO.39.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• And there went out a champion from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. (Prophets 1SA.17.4, JPS 1917) tree →
• Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance? (Prophets ISA.40.12, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Verb forms double the n: «spanned», «spanning». «Span» is also an old past form of «spin», now rare. Maths: a span is a length, so measure it in cm or m; a life span is a time, so measure it in years.