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

I’ll lay me quarter’s pinsion that they’ll have larned betther manners before we outspan this evening.”

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

There, on a flat-topped terrace-like spur where the last outspan was, we took breath, halved our loads, double-spanned, and pulled ourselves together for the last big climb.

From Jock of the Bushveld by Fitzpatrick, Percy, Sir

Between the kraal and the river, amid a thin grove of spreading giraffe-acacia trees, set upon a little islet of rising ground, lies the outspan where travellers bound to and from Ngami usually halt.

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

I found Mungo a long way on, brought to a standstill by the slipping of his load; and we caught up to the waggons at the next outspan.

From Jock of the Bushveld by Fitzpatrick, Percy, Sir

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 Stockley, Cynthia

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 Vescelius-Sheldon, Louise

At noon we outspanned for almuerzo beneath a cork-oak, the weather and the scene alike lovely beyond words.

From Wild Spain (Espa?a agreste) Records of Sport with Rifle, Rod, and Gun, Natural History Exploration by Buck, Walter J.

Stephanus’ wagon had in the meantime arrived and was standing, outspanned, close to that of Gideon.

From A Vendetta of the Desert by Scully, W. C. (William Charles)

A little after sunrise we outspanned and rested for a short time.

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)

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 Young, F.E. Mills

Thereafter came the outspanning, with the identical accompaniments of the inspanning.

From Poppy The Story of a South African Girl by Stockley, Cynthia

He could hear the trap draw up at Gideon Roux’ house over the way and the sound of voices, could see a light or two, as the people were outspanning.

From Aletta A Tale of the Boer Invasion by Mitford, Bertram

Then, immediately after breakfast, the oxen were inspanned, and, pushing forward a little more rapidly than on the first day, we forded the Great Fish River shortly after noon before outspanning for the midday halt.

From Through Veld and Forest An African Story by Webb, Archibald

All that day and all the next we toiled on, only outspanning once or twice during the daytime, and at night, by water, to rest and refresh the oxen for a few hours.

From Tales of South Africa by Bryden, H.A.

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

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