fetal position

noun

Definition of fetal position

: a position (as of a sleeping person) in which the body lies curled up on one side with the arms and legs drawn up and the head bowed forward and which is assumed in some forms of psychic regression

Examples of fetal position in a Sentence

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Neymar reacted theatrically, assuming a fetal position and writhing on his back, like a turtle flipped onto its shell. — Andrew Keh, New York Times, "Brazil’s Joy Is Mexico’s Heartbreak in World Cup Knockout," 4 July 2018 During cross-examination by prosecutor Kimberly Gonzalez, the defendant became upset and at times covered his face, sobbed and would not look at the crime scene photographs, some of which showed Estrada in a fetal position in a pool of blood. — Elizabeth Zavala, San Antonio Express-News, "San Antonio man accused of stabbing boyfriend sobs after grisly photos shown," 22 June 2018 Your natural instinct is to curl up in a fetal position on the couch. — Stanley Kay, SI.com, "After Years of Heartbreak, Capitals Fans Finally Get Their Moment of Glory," 9 June 2018 The nephew escaped to the basement, and minutes later found his aunt in the fetal position on her bedroom floor, dead from a bullet through the heart. — Michael Lapointe, The Atlantic, "The Twisted Tale of the World’s Largest Pearl," 11 May 2018 Several lie in the fetal position on the bare metal, or on what is left of a foam mattress. — The Economist, "A crazy systemNobody spends enough on mental health," 26 Apr. 2018 In the first weeks after the shooting, the sound of jackhammers at a construction site or a helicopter flying overhead would send her to the ground in a fetal position, sobbing. — John Wilkens, latimes.com, "'We all almost died': Survivors of Las Vegas sniper find support in each other," 5 Mar. 2018 At one point during the altercation the woman is on the ground in a semi-fetal position. — Madeleine Marr, miamiherald, "Hotel video shows rapper’s alleged violent altercation with girlfriend | Miami Herald," 26 Feb. 2018 According to a federal affidavit provided by Alaniz, Rivas was spotted by a Coast Guard helicopter hiding in sand dunes of Padre Island National Seashore in the fetal position. — Fernando Alfonso Iii, Houston Chronicle, "Texas officer arrested after allegedly searching for her undocumented Mexican boyfriend," 5 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fetal position.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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The first known use of fetal position was in 1963

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More Definitions for fetal position

fetal position

noun

English Language Learners Definition of fetal position

: a position in which you lie on your side with both legs and both arms bent and pulled up to your chest and with your head bowed forward

See the full definition for fetal position in the English Language Learners Dictionary

fetal position

noun

Medical Definition of fetal position

: a position (as of a sleeping person) in which the body lies curled up on one side with the arms and legs drawn up toward the chest and the head is bowed forward and which is assumed in some forms of psychological regression