Lifespan
/ˈlaɪfˌspæn/noun
The length of time that a person, animal, or thing lives or remains active.
Did you know?Unlike occult-sounding words with ancient ritual roots, *lifespan* is a straightforward English compound, but it still reveals a powerful old idea: life as something that can be measured, bounded, and counted.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
līf
“life, existence, living condition”
Old English
OE
spann
“a span, the distance between the tips of the thumb and little finger; a measure of length”
Middle English
ME
lif span
“a stretch or measure of life”
Early Modern English
English
lifespan
“the length of a life or period of existence”
Modern English
English
lifespan
“the duration of life or active existence”