from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Space \Space\ (sp[=a]s), n. [OE. space, F. espace, from L.
spatium space; cf. Gr. spa^n to draw, to tear; perh. akin to
E. span. Cf. {Expatiate}.]
1. Extension, considered independently of anything which it
may contain; that which makes extended objects conceivable
and possible.
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Pure space is capable neither of resistance nor
motion. --Locke.
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2. Place, having more or less extension; room.
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They gave him chase, and hunted him as hare;
Long had he no space to dwell [in]. --R. of
Brunne.
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While I have time and space. --Chaucer.
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3. A quantity or portion of extension; distance from one
thing to another; an interval between any two or more
objects; as, the space between two stars or two hills; the
sound was heard for the space of a mile.
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Put a space betwixt drove and drove. --Gen. xxxii.
16.
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4. Quantity of time; an interval between two points of time;
duration; time. "Grace God gave him here, this land to
keep long space." --R. of brunne.
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Nine times the space that measures day and night.
--Milton.
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God may defer his judgments for a time, and give a
people a longer space of repentance. --Tillotson.
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5. A short time; a while. [R.] "To stay your deadly strife a
space." --Spenser.
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6. Walk; track; path; course. [Obs.]
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This ilke [same] monk let old things pace,
And held after the new world the space. --Chaucer.
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7. (Print.)
(a) A small piece of metal cast lower than a face type, so
as not to receive the ink in printing, -- used to
separate words or letters.
(b) The distance or interval between words or letters in
the lines, or between lines, as in books, on a
computer screen, etc.
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Note: Spaces are of different thicknesses to enable the
compositor to arrange the words at equal distances from
each other in the same line.
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8. (Mus.) One of the intervals, or open places, between the
lines of the staff.
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9. that portion of the universe outside the earth or its
atmosphere; -- called also {outer space}.
[PJC]
{Absolute space}, {Euclidian space}, etc. See under
{Absolute}, {Euclidian}, etc.
{deep space}, the part of outer space which is beyond the
limits of the solar system.
{Space line} (Print.), a thin piece of metal used by printers
to open the lines of type to a regular distance from each
other, and for other purposes; a lead. --Hansard.
{Space rule} (Print.), a fine, thin, short metal rule of the
same height as the type, used in printing short lines in
tabular matter.
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