spancel

American  

[span-suhl] / ˈspæn səl /

noun

1. a noosed rope with which to hobble an animal, especially a horse or cow.

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verb (used with object)

spanceled, spanceling, spancelled, spancelling

1. to fetter with or as with a spancel.

spancel British  

/ ˈspænsəl /

noun

1. a length of rope for hobbling an animal, esp a horse or cow

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verb

1. (tr) to hobble (an animal) with a loose rope

Etymology

Origin of spancel

1600–10; < Low German spansel, derivative of spannen to stretch; see span ²

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spancel spanceled spancelled

"Do not forget the spancel," said the woman with the child on her knees; "take the inside one."

From The Celtic Twilight by Yeats, W. B. (William Butler)

As my horse was straying toward the west side of the clearing I went to fetch him back and spancel him near the fort.

From A Virginia Scout by Hutchison, D. C.

That night, according to my custom, I spanceled my horse at a considerable distance from my camp.

From A Virginia Scout by Hutchison, D. C.

We spanceled our horses in a tiny opening well surrounded by woods.

From A Virginia Scout by Hutchison, D. C.

Isn't it a bad story for me to be wearing out my days beside you the same as a spancelled goat.

From Fifty Contemporary One-Act Plays by Various

The horses, although tethered and close spancelled, could not be secured, even thus.

From Journal of an Expedition into the Interior of Tropical Australia by Mitchell, Thomas

I’m in the dowie dumps— Maundering and moonging like a spancelled cow: It’s over dour and dearn for me in this loaning On a dowly day.

From Krindlesyke by Gibson, Wilfrid Wilson

I followed up a rocky hill to the house above, and there found Flurry and Slipper engaged in the patriarchal task of driving two brace of coupled and spancelled goats into a shed.

From Some Experiences of an Irish R.M. by Ross, Martin

Two of his legs were spancelled with a piece of straw rope, but being used to such impediment he came over without any awkwardness.

From The King of Ireland's Son by Colum, Padraic