outspan

American  

[out-span, out-span] / ˌaʊtˈspæn, ˈaʊtˌspæn /

verb (used with object)

outspanned, outspanning

1. to unyoke or unhitch, as oxen from a wagon.

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verb (used without object)

outspanned, outspanning

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

noun

1. the act or a place of outspanning.

outspan British  

noun

1. an area on a farm kept available for travellers to rest and refresh animals

2. the act of unharnessing or unyoking

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verb

1. (tr) to unharness or unyoke (animals)

2. (intr) to relax

Etymology

Origin of outspan

1815–25; translation of Afrikaans uitspan; see out-, span ²

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

outspan outspanned outspanning

Key and I set out together at a brisk pace, well knowing how poor was our chance of catching up to the waggons again before the midnight outspan.

From The Outspan Tales of South Africa by Fitzpatrick, Percy, Sir

It was not, as a rule, at the outspan, where many hands were available, that Snowball gave trouble, but out hunting when I was alone or with only one companion.

From Jock of the Bushveld by Fitzpatrick, Percy, Sir

She likes me to look round for a chat if I am ever in Marico, and so, for old acquaintance sake, I usually outspan for a day if I am anywhere near Water Kloof.

From From Veldt Camp Fires by Bryden, H.A.

These four being therefore ready, having already brought in and kraaled the goats for the night, they assisted the Englishman to outspan his oxen and unload the waggons.

From From Veldt Camp Fires by Bryden, H.A.

When the boys would outspan and get things in readiness for meals, our hunger from the open-air life would be so great that we could scarcely wait while they made the fire for coffee.

From Yankee Girls in Zulu Land by Vescelius-Sheldon, Louise

On the way to Lydenburg, not many treks from Paradise Camp, we were outspanned for the day.

From Jock of the Bushveld by Fitzpatrick, Percy, Sir

He scarcely noticed the bee-hive-shaped huts, for his eager eyes were fixed upon a couple of large bullock-waggons outspanned on the banks of the river.

From The War of the Axe Adventures in South Africa by Percy-Groves, J.

Here we outspanned for a final rest before completing our work, if to complete it were possible.

From From Veldt Camp Fires by Bryden, H.A.

He returned in a few minutes, and ordered the cattle to be outspanned and carefully secured inside a small thicket which lay close at hand.

From Perils in the Transvaal and Zululand by Adams, H.C.

At last, with a whoop and a yell and a groan, it was hoisted out of its oozy prison and drawn onto the veldt, when the oxen were outspanned and breakfast was eaten.

From Yankee Girls in Zulu Land by Vescelius-Sheldon, Louise

He pulled up within a few yards of Old Schalk’s camp, and, while Piet Noona was outspanning the mules, he untied the tin box and carried it at once into the mat-house.

From Between Sun and Sand A Tale of an African Desert by Scully, W. C. (William Charles)

We soon had the good things we had brought with us transferred from the cart to a grassy knoll, and our charioteer outspanning and knee-haltering the horses, let them wander away and graze.

From Yankee Girls in Zulu Land by Vescelius-Sheldon, Louise

This contretemps caused a delay of several hours, and instead of outspanning on the bank of the Mooi river, as they had intended, they were obliged to stop some miles short of it.

From Perils in the Transvaal and Zululand by Adams, H.C.

We shall haf Zeederberg’s coaches outspanning here again before de month is out,” he declared, as he bade them a hearty good-bye.

From In the Whirl of the Rising by Mitford, Bertram

“Where’s the dad?” said Brian, looking up from his outspanning.

From A Veldt Vendetta by Mitford, Bertram