WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
span•cel
(span′səl),USA pronunciation n., v., -celed, -cel•ing or (esp. Brit.) -celled, -cel•ling.
n.
v.t.
n.
- a noosed rope with which to hobble an animal, esp. a horse or cow.
v.t.
- to fetter with or as with a spancel.
- Low German spansel, derivative of spannen to stretch; see span2
- 1600–10