English Edit

Etymology Edit

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.) Compare spick-and-span.

Adjective Edit

span-new (comparative more span-new, superlative most span-new)

  1. (archaic) brand new
    Synonym: (archaic) fire-new
    • 1655, Thomas Fuller, edited by James Nichols, The Church History of Britain, [], new edition, volumes (please specify |volume=I to III), London: [] [James Nichols] for Thomas Tegg and Son, [], published 1837, →OCLC:
      A span-new archbishop's chair.
      The spelling has been modernized.
    • (Can we date this quote?), (Please provide the book title or journal name):
      he was very nicely dressed, and wore a span-new velvet vest, a real English broadcloth coat, gold watch with gold seals []

Descendants Edit

  • Welsh: newydd sbon (partial calque)

References Edit