outspan
English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]From out + span. Compare Afrikaans uitspan.
Verb
[edit]outspan (third-person singular simple present outspans, present participle outspanning, simple past and past participle outspanned)
- (South Africa) To release oxen from harness.
- 1976, Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, Jock of the Bushveld, Longman, ISBN 058261231, page 126:
- “We had outspanned on in a flat covered with close grass about two feet high…The wagons, four in number, were drawn up off the road two abreast.”
- 1976, Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, Jock of the Bushveld, Longman, ISBN 058261231, page 126:
Noun
[edit]outspan (plural outspans)
- (South Africa) The place where one releases oxen from harness.
- 1976, Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, Jock of the Bushveld, Longman, ISBN 058261231, page 202:
- “At the outspan or on the road or footpath he shouldered them aside as one walks through standing corn, not aggressively, but with the superb indifference of right and habit unquestioned.”
- 1976, Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, Jock of the Bushveld, Longman, ISBN 058261231, page 202:
- An area on a farm kept available for travellers to rest and refresh their animals.