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.
He could inspan and outspan oxen, and was already master of other useful veldt wrinkles, which usually take some time to acquire.
From From Veldt Camp Fires by Bryden, H.A.
He immediately ordered his men to inspan and saddle their horses.
From Through Shot and Flame The Adventures and Experiences of J. D. Kestell Chaplain to President Steyn and General Christian De Wet by Kestell, J. D. (John Daniel)
I told him to inspan and not talk so much, and moved round to the other side of the waggon.
From Jock of the Bushveld by Fitzpatrick, Percy, Sir
Then in the most matter-of-fact way, John Dawes gave orders to inspan.
From The Luck of Gerard Ridgeley by Mitford, Bertram
That worthy merely nodded, with a word of greeting, and having seen their luggage safely stowed among the bales and cases which, piled sky-high, constituted his cargo, gave orders to inspan.
From The Luck of Gerard Ridgeley by Mitford, Bertram
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
