inspan
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
-
to harness (animals) to (a vehicle); yoke
-
to press (people) into service
Etymology
Origin of inspan
From Afrikaans, dating back to 1825–35; see origin at in- 1, span 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He could inspan and outspan oxen, and was already master of other useful veldt wrinkles, which usually take some time to acquire.
From From Veldt Camp Fires by Bryden, H.A.
The first thing was to harness, or, as it is termed in that country, to inspan the cattle.
From Perils in the Transvaal and Zululand by Adams, H.C.
I gave directions that the messenger and his men should be fed, and then had Sibijaan inspan the six mules and prepare the wagonette for the trip.
From Adventures in Swaziland The Story of a South African Boer by O'Neil, Owen Rowe
“I think we’ll inspan and get on,” said Greenoak.
From Harley Greenoak's Charge by Mitford, Bertram
I gave orders at once to inspan, returning a curt negative to Magebe’s inquiries as to whether I would not stop and trade.
From A Frontier Mystery by Mitford, Bertram
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
