split end
- noun
- /splɪt ɛnd/
- US
- Moss or Manningham at split end.
Examples
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In American football, a talented split end like Jerry Rice can change the outcome of a game.
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Four years ago, I was a split end at Kentucky State.
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You know, four years ago, I was a split end at Kentucky State. # MASON #
Fiction book (1999) -
Find a split end?
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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.
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During practice, the coach instructed the split end to run a deep route to stretch the defense.
Synonyms
A player positioned at the side of the line in American football
A player near the side of the field who catches passes in American football
An American football player who stands near the sideline to catch passes
Antonyms
- Jargon
In American football, a player on offense who lines up next to the tackle and blocks and catches passes
Surface Forms
Morphology
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.