inspan
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
-
to harness (animals) to (a vehicle); yoke
-
to press (people) into service
Etymology
Origin of inspan
From Afrikaans, dating back to 1825–35; see origin at in- 1, span 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The first thing was to harness, or, as it is termed in that country, to inspan the cattle.
From Perils in the Transvaal and Zululand by H.C. Adams
Would it not be best to inspan quietly, and trek right away out of the country?”
From The Luck of Gerard Ridgeley by Bertram Mitford
Then orders were given to inspan and the trek was resumed.
From The Luck of Gerard Ridgeley by Bertram Mitford
Now we’d better make coffee, and be all ready to inspan as soon as the mist lifts.”
From The Luck of Gerard Ridgeley by Bertram Mitford
Well, he trekked in an hour—my boys helped him to inspan the oxen—and we never saw him again.
From Tales of South Africa by H.A. Bryden
The passengers looked on while the natives inspanned the lean reluctant team, the leader of which, despite a sorry appearance, showed signs of temper, which caused the elderly woman passenger considerable alarm.
From The Stronger Influence by F.E. Mills Young
Within six hours of his arrival at the kraal he had inspanned his oxen and trekked away north into the heart of the Kalahari.
From From Veldt Camp Fires by H.A. Bryden
Next morning we were inspanned and on our way by dawn.
From Adventures in Swaziland The Story of a South African Boer by Owen Rowe O'Neil
We inspanned and altered our course slightly to the westward.
From Lodges in the Wilderness by W. C. (William Charles) Scully
Shortly before sundown we inspanned and made a start, shaping our course north-east.
From Lodges in the Wilderness by W. C. (William Charles) Scully
By the time the inspanning was complete, and good-byes were in progress, Percival was on the scene with his horse saddled up and ready.
From The Triumph of Hilary Blachland by Bertram Mitford
I moved among the cattle myself, watching them feed greedily and waiting to see them satisfied before inspanning again to trek through the night to some higher and more open ground.
From Jock of the Bushveld by Sir Percy Fitzpatrick
There was a long journey ahead of us, so we only remained during the time that was occupied in outspanning the tired mules and inspanning the fresh lot.
From Argentina from a British Point of View by Various
Then, when the Force had sufficiently rested, there was saddling up and inspanning, and soon after midday the column pulled out.
From Forging the Blades A Tale of the Zulu Rebellion by Bertram Mitford
After breakfast, there was no hurry about our inspanning.
From Cinderella in the South Twenty-Five South African Tales by Arthur Shearly Cripps
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