Arch vs Span - What's the difference?
arch | span | Synonyms |
(senseid)An inverted U shape.
An arch-shaped arrangement of trapezoidal stones, designed to redistribute downward force outward.
(senseid)(architecture) An architectural element having the shape of an arch
Any place covered by an arch; an archway.
(archaic, geometry) An arc; a part of a curve.
To form into an arch shape
To cover with an arch or arches.
(senseid) Knowing, clever, mischievous.
* Tatler
* 1906 , O. Henry,
*
Principal; primary.
* Shakespeare
(obsolete) A chief.
* Shakespeare
The space from the thumb to the end of the little finger when extended; nine inches; eighth of a fathom.
Hence, a small space or a brief portion of time.
* Alexander Pope
* Farquhar
* 2007 . Zerzan, John. Silence .
The spread or extent of an arch or between its abutments, or of a beam, girder, truss, roof, bridge, or the like, between supports.
The length of a cable, wire, rope, chain between two consecutive supports.
(nautical) A rope having its ends made fast so that a purchase can be hooked to the bight; also, a rope made fast in the center so that both ends can be used.
(obsolete) A pair of horses or other animals driven together; usually, such a pair of horses when similar in color, form, and action.
(mathematics) the space of all linear combinations of something
To traverse the distance between.
To cover or extend over an area or time period.
* Prescott
To measure by the span of the hand with the fingers extended, or with the fingers encompassing the object.
* Bible, Isa. xiviii. 13
(mathematics) to generate an entire space by means of linear combinations
(intransitive, US, dated) To be matched, as horses.
To fetter, as a horse; to hobble.
(archaic, nonstandard) (spin)
*
* '>citation
*:a giant pick-up truck span out of control during a stunt show in a Dutch town, killing three people
Arch is a synonym of span.
As adjectives the difference between arch and span
is that arch is (senseid) knowing, clever, mischievous while span is hairless, glabrous.As a noun arch
is (senseid)an inverted u shape or arch can be (obsolete) a chief.As a verb arch
is to form into an arch shape.arch
Etymology 1
From (etyl), from (etyl) .Noun
(es)- to pass into the arch of a bridge
References
*Verb
- The cat arched its back
Etymology 2
From the prefix . "Principal" is the original sense; "mischievous" is via onetime frequent collocation with rogue, knave, etc.Adjective
(er)- I attempted to hide my emotions, but an arch remark escaped my lips.
- [He] spoke his request with so arch a leer.
- A certain melancholy that touched her countenance must have been of recent birth, for it had not yet altered the fine and youthful contours of her cheek, nor subdued the arch though resolute curve of her lips.
- Lassiter ended there with dry humor, yet behind that was meaning. Jane blushed and made arch eyes at him.
- the most arch act of piteous massacre
Derived terms
* (l)Noun
(es)- My worthy arch and patron comes to-night.
External links
* * *Anagrams
* ----span
English
Etymology 1
(etyl) spannNoun
(en noun)- Yet not to earth's contracted span / Thy goodness let me bound.
- Life's but a span ; I'll every inch enjoy.
- The unsilent present is a time of evaporating attention spans ,
Etymology 2
Old English spannanVerb
(spann)- The suspension bridge spanned the canyon as tenuously as one could imagine.
- The parking lot spans three acres.
- The novel spans three centuries.
- World record! 5 GHz WiFi connection spans 189 miles. [http://www.engadget.com/2007/08/27/world-record-5ghz-wifi-connection-spans-189-miles/]
- The rivers were spanned by arches of solid masonry.
- to span''' a space or distance; to '''span a cylinder
- My right hand hath spanned the heavens.