split end

American  

noun

Football.

split ends plural

1. an offensive end who lines up some distance outside the formation on the line of scrimmage as a pass receiver.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• split ends
  plural

Etymology

Origin of split end

An Americanism dating back to 1950–55

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

split end

In a move Taylor initially opposed, first-year coach Otto Graham decided to switch him to split end halfway through the 1966 season.

From Washington Post ● Feb. 20, 2022

Mildren faded just behind the scrimmage line on the next play and found Harrison again, the split end grabbing the ball just inside the 5 and racing over.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 16, 2021

Starr hit Dowler with a long pass, and the 6-foot-5 split end stretched out to grab it on his fingertips, just out of reach of Mel Renfro.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 28, 2017

In his first 76 NFL games at split end, Rice, the NFL’s all-time leader in pass receptions, caught 346 balls for 6,284 yards.

From The Guardian ● Feb. 2, 2017

I’m somewhat fascinated by her hair, since it’s so uniform, so without a flaw, a wisp, even a split end.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins