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Span vs Embrace - What's the difference?

span | embrace |

In obsolete terms the difference between span and embrace

is that span is a pair of horses or other animals driven together; usually, such a pair of horses when similar in color, form, and action while embrace is to cling to; to cherish; to love.

As nouns the difference between span and embrace

is that span is the space from the thumb to the end of the little finger when extended; nine inches; eighth of a fathom while embrace is hug noun; putting arms around someone.

As verbs the difference between span and embrace

is that span is to traverse the distance between while embrace is to clasp in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.

As an acronym SPAN

is suicide Prevention Advocacy Network.

span

English

Etymology 1

(etyl) spann

Noun

(en noun)
  • 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
    • Yet not to earth's contracted span / Thy goodness let me bound.
  • * Farquhar
    • Life's but a span ; I'll every inch enjoy.
  • * 2007 . Zerzan, John. Silence .
    • The unsilent present is a time of evaporating attention spans ,
  • 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
    • Related terms
    * attention span * memory span

    Etymology 2

    Old English spannan

    Verb

    (spann)
  • To traverse the distance between.
    • The suspension bridge spanned the canyon as tenuously as one could imagine.
  • To cover or extend over an area or time period.
    • 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/]
  • * Prescott
    • The rivers were spanned by arches of solid masonry.
  • To measure by the span of the hand with the fingers extended, or with the fingers encompassing the object.
    • to span''' a space or distance; to '''span a cylinder
  • * Bible, Isa. xiviii. 13
    • My right hand hath spanned the heavens.
  • (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.

    • Etymology 3

    Verb

    (head)
  • (archaic, nonstandard) (spin)
  • *
  • * '>citation
  • *:a giant pick-up truck span out of control during a stunt show in a Dutch town, killing three people

    • Anagrams

    * English irregular simple past forms ----

    embrace

    English

    Alternative forms

    * imbrace (obsolete)

    Verb

    (embrac)
  • To clasp in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.
  • * Shakespeare
    • I will embrace him with a soldier's arm, / That he shall shrink under my courtesy.
  • * Bible, Acts xx. 1
    • Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them.
  • (obsolete) To cling to; to cherish; to love.
    • (Shakespeare)
  • To seize eagerly, or with alacrity; to accept with cordiality; to welcome.
    • I wholeheartedly embrace the new legislation.
  • * Shakespeare
    • You embrace the occasion.
  • * John Locke
    • What is there that he may not embrace for truth?
  • To accept; to undergo; to submit to.
  • * Shakespeare
    • I embrace this fortune patiently.
  • To encircle; to encompass; to enclose.
  • * Dryden
    • Not that my song, in such a scanty space, / So large a subject fully can embrace .
  • * Denham
    • Low at his feet a spacious plain is placed, / Between the mountain and the stream embraced .
  • To enfold, to include (ideas, principles, etc.); to encompass.
    • Natural philosophy embraces many sciences.
  • To fasten on, as armour.
    • (Spenser)
  • (legal) To attempt to influence (a jury, court, etc.) corruptly.
    • (Blackstone)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Hug (noun); putting arms around someone.
  • *
  • *:a delighted shout from the children swung him toward the door again. His sister, Mrs. Gerard, stood there in carriage gown and sables, radiant with surprise. ¶ "Phil!  You!   Exactly like you, Philip, to come strolling in from the antipodes—dear fellow!" recovering from the fraternal embrace and holding both lapels of his coat in her gloved hands.
  • (metaphorical) Enfolding, including.