Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SPAN'CEL-ING, ppr.

Tying a cow's hind legs.

SPAN'COUNT-ER, or SPAN'FAR-THING, n.

A play at which money is thrown, within a span or circuit marked. – Swift.

SPAN'DREL, n.

The space between the curve of an arch and the right lines inclosing it.

SPANE, v.t. [D. speenen.]

To wean. [Not in use.]

SPANG, n. [D. spange, a spangle; Gr. φεγγω.]

A spangle or shining ornament; a thin piece of metal or other shining material. [Not in use.] – Bacon.

SPAN'GLE, n. [supra.]

1. A small plate or boss of shining metal; something brilliant used as an ornament.
2. Any little thing sparkling and brilliant, like pieces of metal; as crystals of ice. For the rich spangles that adorn the sky. – Waller.

SPAN'GLE, v.t.

To set or sprinkle with spangles; to adorn with small distinct brilliant bodies; as, a spangled breastplate. – Donne. What stars do spangle heaven with such beauty. – Shak.

SPAN'GLED, pp.

Set with spangles.

SPAN'GLER, n.

One that spangles. – Keats.

SPAN'GLING, ppr.

Adorning with spangles.

SPAN'IEL, a.

Like a spaniel; mean; fawning. – Shak.

SPAN'IEL, n. [Fr. epagneul; said to be from Hispaniola, now Hayti.]

1. A dog used in sports of the field, remarkable for his sagacity and obedience. – Dryden.
2. A mean, cringing, fawning person. – Shak.

SPAN'IEL, v.i.

To fawn; to cringe; to be obsequious.

SPAN'IEL, v.t.

To follow like a spaniel.

SPAN'IEL-ING, ppr.

Following like a spaniel.

SPAN'ISH, a.

Pertaining to Spain.

SPAN'ISH, n.

The language of Spain.

SPAN'ISH-BROOM, n.

A plant of the genus Spartium.

SPAN'ISH-BROWN, n.

A species of earth used in paints. Its color depends upon the sesquoxyd of iron.

SPAN'ISH-FLY, n.

A coleopterans insect, the Cantharis vesicatoria, used in vesicatories, or compositions for raising blisters.

SPAN'ISH-NUT, n.

A plant, the Morœa Sisyrinchium, of the south of Europe.

SPAN'ISH-WHITE, n.

A white earth from Spain, used in paints. What is so called in New England, is soft carbonate of calcia, or chalk in fine powder.

SPANK, v.t. [W. pange, a blow; allied perhaps to the vulgar bang, and found in the Persic.]

To strike with the open band; to slap.

SPANK'ER, n.

1. A small coin. – Derham.
2. In seaman's language, a ship's driver; a large sail occasionally set upon the mizzen-yard or gaff; the foot being extended by a boom. – Mar. Dict.
3. One that takes long strides in walking; also, a stout person.

SPANK'ING, ppr.

1. Striking with the open hand.
2. adj. Large; stout. [Vulgar.]