span-new
Americanadjective
adjective
Etymology
Origin of span-new
1250–1300; Middle English spannewe < Old Norse spānnȳr brand-new, fresh, equivalent to spānn chip shavings, shingle + nȳr new
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Hence span-new is fresh from the stretchers, or frames, alluding to cloth, a very old manufacture of the country; and spick and span is fresh from the spike, or tenter, and frames.
From Notes and Queries, Number 78, April 26, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc by Bell, George
I arrived safely at Mutton Cove, where two women, seeing my inquiring eye and span-new dress, asked what ship they should take “my honour” to.
From Frank Mildmay Or, the Naval Officer by Marryat, Frederick
No, no, I like him not; our span-new burgermaster, As he's so bold already, he'll come it thick and faster.
From The Student-Life of Germany by Howitt, William
Meantime, Henniker, in span-new civilian dress, was rattling across the plain on the box seat of the ambulance, beside the soldier driver.
From The Cup of Trembling and Other Stories by Foote, Mary Hallock
Cousin E. E. had put on a span-new dress, observing, modestly, that a genius could appear in anything, but she hadn't the position which would stand wearing the same dress twice.
From Phemie Frost's Experiences by Stephens, Ann S. (Ann Sophia)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
