speɪs n. & v. --n. 1 a a
continuous unlimited area or
expanse which may or may
not contain objects etc. b an
interval between one,
two, or three-dimensional points or objects (a space of 10 metres). c an
empty area;
room (clear a space in
the corner; occupies
too much space). 2 a
large unoccupied region (the
wide open spaces). 3 =
outer space. 4 an interval of
time (in the space of an hour). 5 the
amount of
paper used in
writing etc. (hadn't the space to
discuss it). 6 a a
blank between printed, typed, or
written words, etc. b a
piece of
metal providing this. 7 Mus.
each of the blanks between the lines of a staff. --v.tr. 1 set or
arrange at intervals. 2 put spaces between (esp. words, letters, lines, etc. in
printing, typing, or writing). 3 (as spaced adj.) (often foll. by out) sl. in a
state of
euphoria,
esp.
from taking drugs. øspace
age the
era when space
travel has become possible. space-bar a long key in a
typewriter for making a space between words etc. space flight 1 a
journey through space. 2 = space travel. space
out put
more or wider spaces or intervals between. space
probe = PROBE n. 4. space rocket a rocket used to launch a
spacecraft. space-saving occupying
little space. space
shuttle a rocket for repeated
use esp. between the
earth and a space
station. space station an
artificial satellite used as a base for operations in space. space-time (or space-time continuum) the
fusion of the concepts of space and time, esp. as a four-dimensional
continuum. space travel travel through outer space. space
traveller a traveller in outer space; an
astronaut. space
vehicle = SPACECRAFT. space
walk any physical activity by an astronaut in space
outside a spacecraft. øøspacer n. spacing n. (esp. in
sense 2 of v.). [ME f. OF espace f. L spatium]