Dictionary.com

outspan

[ verb out-span; noun out-span ]
/ verb ˌaʊtˈspæn; noun ˈaʊtˌspæn /
South African English

verb (used with object), out·spanned, out·span·ning.

to unyoke or unhitch, as oxen from a wagon.

verb (used without object), out·spanned, out·span·ning.

to remove the yoke, harness, etc., from animals.

noun

the act or a place of outspanning.

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Origin of outspan

1815–25; translation of Afrikaans uitspan;see out-, span2

Words nearby outspan

outsmart, outsoar, outsold, outsole, outsource, outspan, outspeak, outspend, outspent, outspoken, outspread
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for outspan

British Dictionary definitions for outspan

outspan
/ Southern African /

noun (ˈaʊtˌspæn)

an area on a farm kept available for travellers to rest and refresh animals
the act of unharnessing or unyoking

verb (ˌaʊtˈspæn) -spans, -spanning or -spanned

(tr) to unharness or unyoke (animals)
(intr) to relax

Word Origin for outspan

C19: partial translation of Afrikaans uitspan, from uit out + spannen to stretch
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012