outspan

English

Etymology

From out +‎ span. Compare Afrikaans uitspan.

Verb

outspan (third-person singular simple present outspans, present participle outspanning, simple past and past participle outspanned)

1. (South Africa, transitive) To release oxen from a 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.”

Noun

outspan (plural outspans)

1. (South Africa) The place where one releases oxen from a 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.”

2. An area on a farm kept available for travellers to rest and refresh their animals.

Related terms

• inspan: To yoke oxen.

Anagrams

• soapnut