span, noun2

/spæn/
Origin:
Dutch, EnglishShow more Dutch spanne (or general English span), the distance from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger when the hand is fully extended, or the equivalent length, averaging 9 inches.
A length of rolled tobacco of approximately 20 to 23 cms (8 to 9 inches).
1824 W.J. Burchell Trav. II. 49Among the boors, these [rolls of tobacco] are sold by the pound: but to the Hottentots, they are more commonly meted out by the span of about eight inches..; and bargains among the latter are most frequently made for a certain number of spans of tobacco.
1925 H.J. Mandelbrote tr. of O.F. Mentzel’s Descr. of Cape of G.H. I. 84Every slave or Hottentot must be given a weekly dole of a span of tobacco to get any work out of him. This forms their most cherished comfort.
1955 W. Illsley Wagon on Fire 62When their purchases were completed, each member of the family pressed forward to the counter to receive the customary ‘pasella’; a span of thick twist tobacco for the man,..and for each child a handful of sweets.
1980 A.J. Blignaut Dead End Rd 17He gave me a span of tobacco off his Magaliesberg roll this morning.
A length of rolled tobacco of approximately 20 to 23 cms (8 to 9 inches).
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18241980

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span, nounn.1span, verbv.
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