space
/speɪs/ noun, verb, proper noun
- noun The distance between objects.
- noun A physical extent across two or three dimensions (sometimes for or to do something).
- noun A physical extent in all directions, seen as an attribute of the universe (now usually considered as a part of space-time), or a mathematical model of this.
- noun The near-vacuum in which planets, stars and other celestial objects are situated; the universe beyond the earth's atmosphere. “the first man in space”
- noun The physical and psychological area one needs within which to live or operate; personal freedom.
- noun (now rare, archaic) Free time; leisure, opportunity.
- noun A specific (specified) period of time.
- noun An undefined period of time (without qualifier, especially a short period); a while.
- verb (obsolete, intransitive) To roam, walk, wander.
- verb (transitive) To set some distance apart. “Faye had spaced the pots at 8-inch intervals on the windowsill.”
- verb To insert or utilise spaces in a written text. “This paragraph seems badly spaced.”
- verb To space out (become distracted, lose focus).
- verb (transitive, science fiction) To kill (someone) by ejection into outer space, usually without a space suit. “The captain spaced the traitors.”
- verb (intransitive, science fiction) To travel into and through outer space.
- proper noun A surname.
Synonyms
break gap interlapse interspace interstice interstitium opening separation area volume outer space leisure time spare time duration span interval period period of time tide time infinite blank distance blank space place quad
Etymology
From Middle English space, from Anglo-Norman space, variant of espace, espas, et al.; and spaze, variant of espace, from Latin spatium, from Proto-Indo-European *(s)peh₂- (“to stretch, to pull”). Partially displaced native Old English rum, whence Modern English room.
Webster’s 1913
- noun Extension, considered independently of anything which it may contain; that which makes extended objects conceivable and possible.
- noun Place, having more or They gave him chase, and hunted him as hare; Long had he no space to dwell [in]. R. of Brunne.
- verb To walk; to rove; to roam. [Obs.]
- verb To arrange or adjust the spaces in or between; as, to space words, lines, or letters.
Etymology [OE. space, F. espace, from L. spatium space; cf. Gr. span. Cf. Expatiate.]
Etymology [Cf. OF. espacier, L. spatiari. See Space, n.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “space”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details