σπιθαμή

English (LSJ)

ἡ,

   A space one can embrace between the thumb and little finger, span (EM647.34), as a fixed measure, = 3 παλαισταί (Hero *Deff.131), first in Hdt.2.106, Hp.Mochl.38 (though the compd. τρισπίθαμος occurs in Hes.Op.426); also in Pl.Alc.1.126d, Arist.HA606a14, Pol.1302b38, Chrysipp.Stoic.2.47, POxy.669.32 (iii A.D.), etc. :metaph., σ. τοῦ βίου Diogenian.8.17.

German (Pape)

[Seite 921] ἡ, die Weite zwischen dem ausgespannten Daumen und dem kleinen Finger; Her. 2, 106; περὶ σπιθαμῆς καὶ πήχεως, Plat. Alc. I, 126 c; Sp.; Römisch dodrans.