- outer space
- 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.
[1913 Webster]
Pure space is capable neither of resistance nor motion. --Locke. [1913 Webster]
2. Place, having more or less extension; room. [1913 Webster]
They gave him chase, and hunted him as hare; Long had he no space to dwell [in]. --R. of Brunne. [1913 Webster]
While I have time and space. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
Put a space betwixt drove and drove. --Gen. xxxii. 16. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
Nine times the space that measures day and night. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
God may defer his judgments for a time, and give a people a longer space of repentance. --Tillotson. [1913 Webster]
5. A short time; a while. [R.] ``To stay your deadly strife a space.'' --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
6. Walk; track; path; course. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
This ilke [same] monk let old things pace, And held after the new world the space. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
Note: Spaces are of different thicknesses to enable the compositor to arrange the words at equal distances from each other in the same line. [1913 Webster]
8. (Mus.) One of the intervals, or open places, between the lines of the staff. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
