spavin
[spav-in]
- a disease of the hock joint of horses in which enlargement occurs because of collected fluids (bog spavin), bony growth (bone spavin), or distention of the veins (blood spavin).
- an excrescence or enlargement so formed.
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Origin of spavin
1400–50; late Middle English spaveyne < Old French (e)spavain, esparvain swelling < ?
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for spavin
Historical Examples
There was not a hitch in a settlement, nor a spavin in your stables, could escape him.
The Martins Of Cro' Martin, Vol. I (of II)Charles James Lever
"All the coaches are full with the men going down," Spavin said.
The History of PendennisWilliam Makepeace Thackeray
A spavin was apparent in one leg, while on another was a great ringbone.
The Boys of Old MonmouthEverett T. Tomlinson
The mule may not be so liable to spavin as the horse, but he has ringbone just the same.
The MuleHarvey Riley
They can, however, be relieved by the same process as recommended in spavin.
The MuleHarvey Riley
spavin
- vet science enlargement of the hock of a horse by a bony growth (bony spavin) or fluid accumulation in the joint (bog spavin), usually caused by inflammation or injury, and often resulting in lameness
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Word Origin
C15: from Old French espavin, of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for spavin
n.
disease of the hock joint of a horse, early 15c., from Middle French espavain, perhaps from Frankish *sparwan "sparrow" (see sparrow), so called perhaps from comparison of the bird's awkward gait to that of a horse affected with spavin.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper