fetal position

noun

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

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

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Recent Examples of fetal position from the Web

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
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
The friend arrived at the Mellados’ home, curled up on the couch in the fetal position and began to sob, Mellado recalled in an interview.

— manya brachear pashman, chicagotribune.com, "After years of inquiries, Willow Creek pastor denies misconduct allegations," 23 Mar. 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.

First Known Use of fetal position

1963

in the meaning defined above

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FETAL POSITION Defined for English Language Learners

fetal position

noun

Definition of fetal position for English Language Learners

: 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

Medical 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

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fetal position

Definition of fetal position

Recent Examples of fetal position from the Web

First Known Use of fetal position

FETAL POSITION Defined for English Language Learners

fetal position

Definition of fetal position for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

fetal position

medical Definition of fetal position

Learn More about fetal position

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fetal position

Definition of fetal position

Recent Examples of fetal position from the Web

First Known Use of fetal position

FETAL POSITION Defined for English Language Learners

fetal position

Definition of fetal position for English Language Learners

Medical Dictionary

fetal position

medical Definition of fetal position

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