1
- the full extent of something from end to end; the amount of space that something covers全长; 跨度; 范围：
a warehouse with a clear span of 28 feet.
一个跨度整整28英尺的仓库。
1.1
- the length of time for which something lasts持续时间; 一段时间：
a short concentration span.
短暂的注意力集中。
1.2
- the wingspan of an aircraft or a bird飞机的翼展; 鸟翼。
1.3
- an arch or part of a bridge between piers or supports桥孔; （桥墩间的）墩距。
1.4
- the maximum distance between the tips of the thumb and little finger, taken as the basis of a measurement equal to 9 inches拇指尖与小指尖之间的最大距离（常作测量的基础, 等于9英寸）, 一掌的长度。
1.5
- archaic a short distance or time〈古〉短距离; 短促的时间。
1
- (spanned, spanning)with obj.(of a bridge, arch, etc.) extend from side to side of（桥、拱等）横跨, 跨越：
the stream was spanned by a narrow bridge.
一座窄窄的小桥横跨在小河上。
1.1
- extend across (a period of time or a range of subjects)持续（一段时间）; 包括, 涉及（一系列的主题）：
their interests span almost all the conventional disciplines.
他们的兴趣覆盖了几乎所有的传统科目。
1.2
- cover or enclose with the length of one's hand张开手覆盖（或环绕）; 用拃（拇指与小指间最大距离）量：
her waist was slender enough for him to span with his hands.
她的腰肢纤细, 他用双手就可以环抱。
词源
Old English, 'distance between the tips of the thumb and little finger', of Germanic origin; reinforced in Middle English by Old French espan.
1
- Nautical a rope with its ends fastened at different points to a spar or other object in order to provide a purchase【航海】跨绳。
2
- a team of people or animals, in particular一队人（或动物）, 尤指：
2.1
- N. Amer. a matched pair of horses, mules, or oxen〈北美〉共轭马（或骡子、公牛）。
2.2
- S. African a team of two or more pairs of oxen〈南非〉一队包括两组（或两组以上）的共轭牛。
2.3
- S. African a gang, especially a work gang of prisoners〈南非〉一伙人（尤指一伙参加劳动的犯人）。
3
a span
S. African informal a lot〈南非, 非正式〉很多：thanks a span.
多谢了。
词源
mid 16th cent. (as a verb)： from Dutch or Low German spannen. The noun (originally in nautical use) dates from the mid 18th cent.