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

About sundown, just before we were ready to start, some other waggons passed, and Ted, knowing the owner, went on with him intending to rejoin us at the next outspan.

From Jock of the Bushveld by Fitzpatrick, Percy, Sir

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)

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

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

He would like to outspan and stay where he was—the river was too full, and the next drift would be worse still.

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

They outspanned and inspanned three times before the wagon stirred, and a hole had been dug big enough to bury us all in before the wheels were released.

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

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.

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)

We had outspanned in a flat covered with close grass about two feet high and shady flat-topped thorn trees.

From Jock of the Bushveld by Fitzpatrick, Percy, Sir

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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