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space

[speys]
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noun
  1. the unlimited or incalculably great three-dimensional realm or expanse in which all material objects are located and all events occur.
  2. the portion or extent of this in a given instance; extent or room in three dimensions: the space occupied by a body.
  3. extent or area in two dimensions; a particular extent of surface: to fill out blank spaces in a document.
  4. Fine Arts.
    1. the designed and structured surface of a picture: In Mondrian's later work he organized space in highly complex rhythms.
    2. the illusion of depth on a two-dimensional surface.
  5. outer space.
  6. deep space.
  7. a seat, berth, or room on a train, airplane, etc.
  8. a place available for a particular purpose: a parking space.
  9. linear distance; a particular distance: trees separated by equal spaces.
  10. Mathematics. a system of objects with relations between the objects defined.
  11. extent, or a particular extent, of time: a space of two hours.
  12. an interval of time; a while: After a space he continued his story.
  13. an area or interval allowed for or taken by advertising, as in a periodical, on the radio, etc.
  14. Music. the interval between two adjacent lines of the staff.
  15. an interval or blank area in text: a space between the letters.
  16. Printing. one of the blank pieces of metal, less than type-high, used to separate words, sentences, etc.
  17. Telegraphy. an interval during the transmitting of a message when the key is not in contact.
  18. radio or television broadcast time allowed or available for a program, advertisement, etc.
  19. freedom or opportunity to express oneself, resolve a personal difficulty, be alone, etc.; allowance, understanding, or noninterference: Right now, you can help by giving me some space.
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verb (used with object), spaced, spac·ing.
  1. to fix the space or spaces of; divide into spaces.
  2. to set some distance apart.
  3. Printing, Writing.
    1. to separate (words, letters, or lines) by spaces.
    2. to extend by inserting more space or spaces (usually followed by out).
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adjective
  1. of, relating to, or concerned with outer space or deep space: a space mission.
  2. designed for or suitable to use in the exploration of outer space or deep space: space tools; specially packaged space food for astronauts.
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Origin of space

1250–1300; Middle English (noun) < Old French espace < Latin spatium
Related formsspac·er, nounmis·space, verb (used with object), mis·spaced, mis·spac·ing.re·space, verb (used with object), re·spaced, re·spac·ing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

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British Dictionary definitions for space

space

noun
  1. the unlimited three-dimensional expanse in which all material objects are locatedRelated adjective: spatial
  2. an interval of distance or time between two points, objects, or events
  3. a blank portion or area
    1. unoccupied area or roomthere is no space for a table
    2. (in combination)space-saving Related adjective: spacious
  5. freedom to do what a person wishes to for his or her own personal development
    1. the region beyond the earth's atmosphere containing the other planets of the solar system, stars, galaxies, etc; universe
    2. (as modifier)a space probe; space navigation
    1. the region beyond the earth's atmosphere occurring between the celestial bodies of the universe. The density is normally negligible although cosmic rays, meteorites, gas clouds, etc, can occur. It can be divided into cislunar space (between the earth and moon), interplanetary space, interstellar space, and intergalactic space
    2. (as modifier)a space station; a space simulator
  8. a seat or place, as on a train, aircraft, etc
  9. printing
    1. a piece of metal, less than type-high, used to separate letters or words in hot-metal printing
    2. any of the gaps used to separate letters, words, or lines in photocomposition, desktop publishing, etc
  10. music any of the gaps between the lines that make up the staff
  11. maths a collection of unspecified points having properties that obey a specified set of axiomsEuclidean space
  12. Also called: spacing telegraphy the period of time that separates complete letters, digits, and other characters in Morse code
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verb (tr)
  1. to place or arrange at intervals or with spaces between
  2. to divide into or by spacesto space one's time evenly
  3. printing to separate (letters, words, or lines) by the insertion of spaces
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Word Origin

C13: from Old French espace, from Latin spatium
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for space

n.

c.1300, "an area, extent, expanse, lapse of time," a shortening of Old French espace, from Latin spatium "room, area, distance, stretch of time," of unknown origin. Astronomical sense of "stellar depths" is first recorded 1667 in "Paradise Lost."

Space isn't remote at all. It's only an hour's drive away if your car could go straight upwards. [Sir Fred Hoyle, "London Observer," 1979]

Typographical sense is attested from 1670s (typewriter space bar is from 1888). Space age is attested from 1946; spacewalk is from 1965. Many compounds first appeared in science fiction and speculative writing, e.g. spaceship (1894, "Journey in Other Worlds"); spacesuit (1920); spacecraft (1930, "Scientific American"); space travel (1931); space station (1936, "Rockets Through Space"); spaceman (1942, "Thrilling Wonder Stories;" earlier it meant "journalist paid by the length of his copy," 1892). Space race attested from 1959. Space shuttle attested by 1970.

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v.

1703, "to arrange at set intervals," from space (n.). Meaning "to be in a state of drug-induced euphoria" is recorded from 1968. Space cadet "eccentric person disconnected with reality" (often implying an intimacy with hallucinogenic drugs) is a 1960s phrase, probably traceable to 1950s U.S. sci-fi television program "Tom Corbett, Space Cadet," which was watched by many children who dreamed of growing up to be one and succeeded.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
space in Medicine

space

(spās)
n.
  1. A particular area, extent, or cavity of the body.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
space in Science

space

[spās]
  1. The region of the universe beyond Earth's atmosphere.♦ The part of this region within the solar system is known as interplanetary space.♦ The part of this region beyond the solar system but within the Milky Way or within another galaxy is known as interstellar space.♦ The part of this region between the Milky Way and other galaxies is known as intergalactic space.
  2. The familiar three-dimensional region or field of everyday experience.
  3. Mathematics A mathematical object, typically a set of sets, that is usually structured to define a range across which variables or other objects (such as a coordinate system) can be defined.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Idioms and Phrases with space

space

In addition to the idiom beginning with space

  • space out

also see:

  • breathing space
  • take up space
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.