span

Definition

  • noun: the period of time between two dates or events
  • noun: the distance from the end of the thumb to the end of the little finger of a spread hand
  • verb: to continue throughout (a period of time)
  • verb: to measure by or as if by the hand with fingers and thumb extended
  • archaic past of 'spin'
  • often + 'of'
  • synonyms: hobble, team, harness

Examples

  • The symphonies were composed over a 'span of' eight years.

  • It's a 'span of' a few hundred miles to cross the state.

  • Her academic interests 'span' a wide variety of topics.

Movie clips

Movie quotes

  • (..) No, you don't. Listen, you know what he's like. From the time he could crawl, he's been... different. He doesn't listen. He has the attention span of a sparrow. I take him fishing and he goes hunting for trolls! Trolls exist. They steal your socks. But only the left ones. What's with that? (..)
    2010 How to Train Your Dragon