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split end

split end

1 7.3
A player who stands wide to catch passes for the team on offense
  • noun
  • /splɪt ɛnd/
  • US
translation icon : extremo abierto
  • Moss or Manningham at split end.

Examples

  • In American football, a talented split end like Jerry Rice can change the outcome of a game.

  • Four years ago, I was a split end at Kentucky State.

  • You know, four years ago, I was a split end at Kentucky State. # MASON #

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Find a split end?

  • The four-star split end said, "I remember it vividly."

    Blog text (18)
  • The quarterback threw a perfect pass to the split end, who caught it in the end zone for a touchdown.

  • During practice, the coach instructed the split end to run a deep route to stretch the defense.

Synonyms

end
vssplit end
  • Jargon
145 7.4

A player positioned at the side of the line in American football

focuses on lining away from other linemen to receive passes
wideout
vssplit end
  • Jargon
8 6.5

A player near the side of the field who catches passes in American football

is placed closer to other linemen rather than near the sideline
flanker back
vssplit end
  • Jargon
7.7

An American football player who stands near the sideline to catch passes

is placed on the line but separated from other linemen

Antonyms

tight end
  • Jargon
40 6.3

In American football, a player on offense who lines up next to the tackle and blocks and catches passes

Surface Forms

split end singular
split ends plural

Morphology

split + end

The meaning 'an end who lines up some distance away from the other linemen' is directly and compositionally derived from 'split' (separated/placed apart) modifying 'end' (a football position). This modifier+role pattern is transparent and predictable, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would likely infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Split end comes from a simple picture: the end of the line stands split, a little apart from the other players so he can run out and 'receive passes'. That's why it means a player who lines up away from the line to catch the ball.