outspan

American  

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

verb (used with object)

outspanned, outspanning

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

---

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

---

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

At each outspan Jacomina exercised all her faculties to shine as a cook.

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

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

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

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.

Gertrude and Helena accompanied their friend as far as the first outspan place, where a farewell libation of coffee was poured out from tin pannikins.

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

In the evening we outspanned on the farm of Petrus Schoeman and halted for the night, expecting to hear from General de Wet every moment.

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)

In all these weeks I haven’t seen a soul besides yourselves, except for a party of prospectors who outspanned one night.”

From Grit Lawless by Young, F.E. Mills

The wagons had outspanned on the mountain slope, not far below the du Plessis’ dwelling.

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

Near him, in the shade of the spreading acacia tree by which the waggon was outspanned, crawled on a couple of blankets little Jan, his two year old child.

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

Sitting under the great acacia tree, where the Marstons had outspanned, they enjoyed together a right merry New Year’s dinner.

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

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

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)

This done, he once more changed the wet handkerchiefs, and went out to find Jack outspanning the cattle, and talking in a loud voice to his wife.

From Diamond Dyke The Lone Farm on the Veldt - Story of South African Adventure by Boucher, W.

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 Mitford, Bertram

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 Mitford, Bertram