spannen

Etymology

From Middle Dutch spannen, from Old Dutch *spannan, from Proto-Germanic *spannaną.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈspɑ.nə(n)/

• Audio

  (file)

Verb

spannen

1. to strain, to put tension on
2. to stretch

Etymology

From Middle High German spannen, from Old High German spannan, from Proto-Germanic *spannaną.

Pronunciation

• Audio

  (file)

• IPA^(key): /ˈʃpanən/, [ˈʃpann̩]

Verb

spannen (third-person singular simple present spannt, past tense spannte, past participle gespannt, auxiliary haben)

1. to stretch
2. to tighten
3. to tension
4. to be taut
5. to harness
   • 1922, Walther Kabel (pseud. William Käbler), Das Geheimnis des Zuni, Werner Dietsch Verlag, page 3–4:

     Vor jeden Wagen waren acht indianische Mustangs gespannt.

     Eight Indian mustangs were harnessed in front of each wagon.

6. to span
7. (colloquial) to stare, gaze
8. (colloquial) to peep, spy on someone

Further reading

• spannen in Duden online

Etymology

From Old High German spinnan, from Proto-Germanic *spinnaną. Cognate with German spinnen, Dutch spinnen, English spin, Swedish spinna.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈʃpɑnən/

Verb

spannen (third-person singular present spënnt, past participle gesponnen, auxiliary verb hunn)

1. (transitive or intransitive) to spin
2. (intransitive, of cats) to purr

Etymology

From Old Dutch *spannan, from Proto-Germanic *spannaną.

Verb

spannen

1. This term needs a translation to English. Please help out and add a translation, then remove the text {{rfdef}}.

Further reading

• “spannen”, in Vroegmiddelnederlands Woordenboek, 2000
• “spannen (I)”, in Middelnederlandsch Woordenboek, 1929

Etymology

From Old English spannan, from Proto-Germanic *spannaną.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈspanən/

Verb

spannen

1. (transitive, rare) To tie around, wrap.
2. (transitive, rare) To forcibly take, to confiscate.

Noun

spannen

1. definite singular of spann
2. definite plural of spann