51³Ô¹Ï

Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

spread eagle

1

noun

  1. a representation of an eagle with outspread wings: used as an emblem of the U.S.
  2. an acrobatic figure in skating performed by making a glide with the skates touching heel-to-heel in a straight line and with the arms outstretched.
  3. an acrobatic stunt in ski jumping executed with the legs and arms widely outstretched to the sides.


spread-eagle

2

[ spred-ee-guhl ]

adjective

  1. having or suggesting the form of a spread eagle.
  2. lying prone with arms and legs outstretched.
  3. boastful or bombastic, especially in the display of patriotic or nationalistic pride in the U.S.

verb (used with object)

spread-eagled, spread-eagling.
  1. to stretch out (something) in the manner of a spread eagle.

verb (used without object)

spread-eagled, spread-eagling.
  1. to assume the position or perform the acrobatic figure of a spread eagle:

    The skater spread-eagled across the rink.

spread-eagle

1

adjective

  1. lying or standing with arms and legs outstretched
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to assume or cause to assume the shape of a spread eagle
  2. intr skating to execute a spread eagle
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

spread eagle

2

noun

  1. the representation of an eagle with outstretched wings, used as an emblem of the US
  2. an acrobatic skating figure
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

51³Ô¹Ï History and Origins

Origin of spread eagle1

First recorded in 1560–70

Origin of spread eagle2

First recorded in 1820–30
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The crash sent his friend "face down, spread eagle, with Gwyneth on top of him", but Ms Paltrow slid off him and bolted from the scene while he lay unresponsive, Mr Ramone testified.

From

Another photo is of a woman in green trousers spread eagle on the sand, her top pulled up over her head.

From

"His recording studio has women spread eagle, with their body parts exposed all over the wall."

From

You can see it magnificently in Ms. France’s spread eagle, in which a skater glides on turned out feet.

From

A separate clip showed three men lying face down and spread eagle on the pavement as police in riot gear stood over them, apparently making arrests.

From

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement