Span



GRE TOEFL 考研

解释

GRE 红宝书

• n. 两个界限间的距离; 跨度
• ［英］ n. 两个界限间的距离 ( a stretch between two limits)

Webster Collegiate

I. *archaic past of spin II. noun

• Etymology: Middle English, from Old English spann; akin to Old High German spanna span, Middle Dutch spannen to stretch, hitch up
• Date: before 12th century
• 1. the distance from the end of the thumb to the end of the little finger of a spread hand; also an English unit of length equal to nine inches (22.9 centimeters)
• 2. an extent, stretch, reach, or spread between two limits: as
  • a. a limited space (as of time); especially an individual's lifetime
  • b. the spread or extent between abutments or supports (as of a bridge); also a portion thus supported
  • c. the maximum distance laterally from tip to tip of an airplane

III. transitive verb (spanned; spanning)

• Date: 1560
• 1.
  • a. to measure by or as if by the hand with fingers and thumb extended
  • b. measure
• 2.
  • a. to extend across <a career that spanned four decades>
  • b. to form an arch over <a small bridge spanned the pond>
  • c. to place or construct a span over
• 3. to be capable of expressing any element of under given operations <a set of vectors that spans a vector space>

IV. noun

• Etymology: Dutch, from Middle Dutch, from spannen to hitch up
• Date: 1769
• a pair of animals (as mules) usually matched in appearance and action and driven together

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