outspan

Definitions

  • WordNet 3.6
    • v outspan remove the yoke or harness from "outspan the draft animals"
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
    • v. t. & i outspan To unyoke or disengage, as oxen from a wagon; to unharness (a horse).
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Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
    • outspan To unyoke or unhitch (oxen from a wagon); unharness or unsaddle (a horse or horses).
    • outspan To detach oxen from a wagon; hence, to encamp.
    • n outspan The act of unyoking or unharnessing oxen or horses.
    • n outspan The time and place of the outspan; hence, an encampment; a camp.
    • outspan To stretch beyond the span or reach of.
    • outspan To spread out or extend, as an arch.
    • n outspan The entire span or stretch, especially the span of an arch.
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Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
    • v.t., v.i Outspan owt-span′ to unyoke or unharness draught-oxen, &c., from a vehicle, to encamp—opp. to Inspan.
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Etymology

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
D. uitspannen,

Usage

In literature:

We had crossed the Blood River, and after an extra long morning's trek had outspanned on one of the small tributaries of that stream.
"A Frontier Mystery" by Bertram Mitford
It's away on the flat there at the outspan just outside the town; any one'll tell you.
"The Luck of Gerard Ridgeley" by Bertram Mitford
No use outspanning here.
"In the Whirl of the Rising" by Bertram Mitford
Shall we outspan and make a night of it on the veldt?
"A Veldt Vendetta" by Bertram Mitford
My waggon's outspanned yonder on the flat.
"'Tween Snow and Fire" by Bertram Mitford
Northward we trekked steadily through wild desolate country for the best part of one day, and outspanned by a desert pool for the night.
"Tales of South Africa" by H.A. Bryden
Wherefore for days they would outspan near a group of kraals, although of trade there was next to nothing done.
"A Secret of the Lebombo" by Bertram Mitford
He and Magwelo will do the outspanning.
"Harley Greenoak's Charge" by Bertram Mitford
You arrived at a farmhouse and asked leave to outspan by the spruit.
"The African Colony" by John Buchan
They had outspanned by the last spring, which gurgled out among the roots of the mokhala-trees upon the very edge of the desert.
"The Young Yagers" by Mayne Reid
When, therefore, he dropped his glass, he said: "Damn," and then, more loudly, "This is Likonga; outspan, Jacob!
"The Witch Doctor and other Rhodesian Studies" by Frank Worthington
He halted the team and outspanned the dogs so they would be unhampered by the sledge in case of attack.
"Polaris of the Snows" by Charles B. Stilson
Thereafter came the outspanning, with the identical accompaniments of the inspanning.
"Poppy" by Cynthia Stockley
They reached a place called "Inkruip," and here it was decided to outspan and rest the team.
"Between Sun and Sand" by William Charles Scully
Here the teams were "outspanned" and turned out to graze.
"By Veldt and Kopje" by William Charles Scully
At about midnight we outspanned.
"Lodges in the Wilderness" by William Charles Scully
Here we outspanned for a final rest before completing our work, if to complete it were possible.
"From Veldt Camp Fires" by H.A. Bryden
From this outspan to Ladysmith occupied five days.
"Twenty-Five Years in a Waggon in South Africa" by Andrew A. Anderson
They had crossed the Vaal river, and were outspanning on the open veldt.
"The Empire Makers" by Hume Nesbit
The nine miles' journey was accomplished by 9.30, where the column outspanned till 2.30.
"South Africa and the Transvaal War, Vol. V (of VI)" by Louis Creswicke
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