Spakenet
(Spake"net`) n. [Etymol. uncertain.] A net for catching crabs. Halliwell.
Spaky
(Spak"y) a. Specky. [Obs.] hapman.
Spalding knife
(Spald"ing knife`) A spalting knife.
Spale
(Spale) n. [Cf. Spell a splinter.]
1. A lath; a shaving or chip, as of wood or stone. [Prov. Eng. & Scot.]
2. (Shipbuilding) A strengthening cross timber.
Spall
(Spall) n. [OF. espaule; cf. It. spalla. See Epaule.] The shoulder. [Obs.] Spenser.
Spall
(Spall), n. [Prov. E. spall, spell. See Spale, Spell a splinter.] A chip or fragment, especially a
chip of stone as struck off the block by the hammer, having at least one feather-edge.
Spall
(Spall), v. t.
1. (Mining) To break into small pieces, as ore, for the purpose of separating from rock. Pryce.
2. (Masonry) To reduce, as irregular blocks of stone, to an approximately level surface by hammering.
Spall
(Spall), v. i. To give off spalls, or wedge-shaped chips; — said of stone, as when badly set, with
the weight thrown too much on the outer surface.
Spalpeen
(Spal"peen) n. [Ir. spailpin, fr. spailp a beau, pride, self-conceit.] A scamp; an Irish term
for a good-for-nothing fellow; — often used in good-humored contempt or ridicule. [Colloq.]
Spalt
(Spalt) n. [Cf. G. spaltstein, from spalten to split. See 1st Spell.] (Metal.) Spelter. [Colloq.]
Spalt
(Spalt), a. [See 1st Spell.]
1. Liable to break or split; brittle; as, spalt timber. [Prov. Eng.] Halliwell.
2. Heedless; clumsy; pert; saucy. [Prov. Eng.]
Spalt
(Spalt), v. t. & i. [Cf. OE. spalden. See Spalt, a.] To split off; to cleave off, as chips from a
piece of timber, with an ax. [Prov. Eng. & Local, U.S.]
Spalting knife
(Spalt"ing knife`) A knife used in splitting codfish. [Written also spalding knife.]
Span
(Span) archaic imp. & p. p. of Spin.
Span
(Span), n. [AS. spann; akin to D. span, OHG. spanna, G. spanne, Icel. spönn. &radic170. See
Span, v. t. ]
1. The space from the thumb to the end of the little finger when extended; nine inches; eighth of a fathom.
2. Hence, a small space or a brief portion of time.
Yet not to earth's contracted span
Thy goodness let me bound.
Pope.
Life's but a span; I'll every inch enjoy.
Farquhar. 3. The spread or extent of an arch between its abutments, or of a beam, girder, truss, roof, bridge, or
the like, between its supports.
