outspan

American  

[aut-span, aut-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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

outspan outspanned outspanning

One night, after a day’s journey through the bush-veldt, we lay at a farmhouse, near which was a public outspan.

From From Veldt Camp Fires by H.A. Bryden

At the first outspan from Barberton next day I saw him carving his mark on the handle, unabashed, under my very nose.

From Jock of the Bushveld by Sir Percy Fitzpatrick

Klaas had told me previously of a most wonderful pool of water that lay on the crown of a mountain where we should outspan finally before entering upon the portals of the diamond valley.

From From Veldt Camp Fires by H.A. Bryden

A hundred grass ticks having at various times of outspan made convenient entry through open-work brown silk stockings, chewed at my ankles causing exquisite irritation not to be assuaged by a violent application of finger-nails.

From The Claw by Cynthia Stockley

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 Sir Percy Fitzpatrick

At the end of three hours the oxen were outspanned to graze and the boys prepared our midday meal.

From Yankee Girls in Zulu Land by Louise Vescelius-Sheldon

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 Louise Vescelius-Sheldon

This very day last year I was outspanned on this spot, as we are now.

From The Outspan Tales of South Africa by Sir Percy Fitzpatrick

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

From Jock of the Bushveld by Sir Percy Fitzpatrick

They lent a hand, and when the team was outspanned and haltered to the disselboom inside a hastily improvised laager, they repaired to the house, carrying provisions with them.

From Grit Lawless by F.E. Mills Young

Give him a cool chair on the stoep, and a ditto drink, while I go and see to the outspanning, and to things in general.

From A Veldt Vendetta by Bertram Mitford

Max went into the shop; Nathan followed him after outspanning the horses.

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

Here's a good place for the outspanning, just at the bank.

From The Rogue Elephant The Boys' Big Game Series by Fred J. Arting

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

The while they had been outspanning, and now, handing over the horses to a native stable-boy, they entered.

From Harley Greenoak's Charge by Bertram Mitford

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