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

Originally a split end, he converted to tight end in 1966 and developed into one of the best to ever play the position.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 24, 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

To the defense, the set appeared to be a heavy-package unbalanced line; with one back in the backfield and one split end left, the defense assumes run right.

From New York Times ● Jan. 12, 2016

Winchell drops back to pass, throwing a perfect strike on a timing pattern to reserve split end Johnny Celey on the left sideline.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger