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Glite Dictionary
to inspan

to inspan

9.9
To put a harness on animals so they can pull a cart
  • verb
  • Archaic
translation icon : yugar
  • The farmer needed to inspan the oxen before starting the day's work.

Examples

  • The farmer will inspan the oxen for the plough.

  • We watched as they inspanned the horses to the old cart.

  • After breakfast, the team inspanned the donkeys and prepared for the journey.

  • He inspanned the horses before the race.

  • After breakfast, the team inspanned the donkeys and prepared for the journey.

  • The farmer needed to inspan the oxen before starting the day's work.

  • We watched as they inspanned the horses to the old cart.

Synonyms

to harness
vsto inspan
8 3.8

Put straps on an animal to attach it to a cart or plow

attach parts that let animals pull a vehicle or a plough
to yoke
vsto inspan
6 7.0

To join two things so they work together

attach beams or straps specifically to animals for pulling vehicles or ploughs
to tackle
vsto inspan
  • Archaic
3 8.1

To put a harness on an animal so it can pull a cart

attach straps or a beam to animals mainly for drawing vehicles or ploughs

Antonyms

to outspan
  • Archaic
9.9

To remove the harness or straps from working animals to let them rest

Surface Forms

inspan infinitive
inspanned past
inspanned past participle
inspanning present participle
inspans third person singular

Etymology

Inspan comes from Dutch and Afrikaans, from in- meaning 'in' and spannen meaning 'to tighten'. A helpful image is putting animals 'in' a harness and 'tightening' the straps so they can pull a cart or plough, which is why inspan means to attach a yoke or harness to animals.