outspan

[ verb out-span; noun out-span ]

/ verb ˌaʊtˈspæn; noun ˈaʊtˌspæn /

South African English

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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. 2023

How to use outspan in a sentence

One of the waggons had been loaded up in the morning and sent on to the outspan; the other was ready by sundown.
The Luck of Gerard Ridgeley|Bertram Mitford
The principle of the road is always outspan on the other side of a drift—that is, the opposite side from the one you arrive at.
The Luck of Gerard Ridgeley|Bertram Mitford
Saddling up the horse that remained and giving orders where the waggons were to outspan, Dawes cantered away into the veldt.
The Luck of Gerard Ridgeley|Bertram Mitford
“We had better get on and find our outspan,” said Dawes, after the momentary silence which had fallen upon the pair.
The Luck of Gerard Ridgeley|Bertram Mitford

Ralph and Suzanne reached their outspan place in safety a little before sunset.
Swallow|H. Rider Haggard

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