Tra từ span - Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

span [span spans spanned spanning] noun, verb, adjective BrE [spæn] NAmE [spæn]
noun
1. the length of time that sth lasts or is able to continue
•I worked with him over a span of six years.
•The project must be completed within a specific time span.
•Small children have a short attention span.
•a study of the entire span of Arab history
see also ↑lifespan
2. ~ (of sth) a range or variety of sth
•Managers have a wide span of control.
•These forests cover a broad span of latitudes.
3. the part of a bridge or an ↑arch between one vertical support and another
•The bridge crosses the river in a single span.
4. the width of sth from one side to the other
•The kite has a span of 1.5 metres.
see also ↑wingspan

Word Origin:
Old English, ‘distance between the tips of the thumb and little finger’, of Germanic origin; reinforced in Middle English by Old French espan.

Example Bank:
•He has a short attention span.
•The book covers the entire span of Arab history.
•The bridge has a clear span of 120 feet.
•The speech continued well beyond its allotted span.
•a broad span of interests
•to prolong life beyond its natural span
•I worked with him several times over a span of six years.
•Managers have a wide span of responsibilities.
•Small children have a short attention span.
•The bridge has 10 arches, each of a 30-foot span.
•The project must be completed within a specific time span.

verb (-nn-)
1. ~ sth to last all through a period of time or to cover the whole of it
•His acting career spanned 55 years.
•Family photos spanning five generations were stolen.
2. ~ sth to include a large area or a lot of things
•The operation, which spanned nine countries, resulted in 200 arrests.
•His experience spanned not merely politics, but also business and journalism.
3. ~ sth to stretch right across sth, from one side to the other
Syn: ↑cross
•a series of bridges spanning the river
•The roof was spanned by curved ribs of steel.
Verb forms:

Word Origin:
Old English, ‘distance between the tips of the thumb and little finger’, of Germanic origin; reinforced in Middle English by Old French espan.

Example Bank:
•A series of bridges span the river.

adjective
see spick and span at ↑spick

Word Origin:
Old English, ‘distance between the tips of the thumb and little finger’, of Germanic origin; reinforced in Middle English by Old French espan.