spread-eagle

verb

spread-ea·​gle ˈspred-ˌē-gəl 

spread-eagled; spread-eagling ˈspred-ˌē-g(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

a

: to execute a move (as in skiing) in which the arms and legs are stretched out

b

: to execute a move (as in skating) in which the heels are facing each other in a straight line

2

: to stand or move with arms and legs stretched out : sprawl

transitive verb

1

: to put into a position in which the arms and legs are spread out

2

: to spread over

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Rhymes for spread-eagle

• beagle
• eagle
• legal
• regal
• riegel
• spiegel
• extralegal
• paralegal
• illegal
• viceregal
• medicolegal

Kids Definition

spread-eagle

verb

spread-ea·​gle

ˈspred-ˌē-gəl

spread-eagled; spread-eagling

-ˌē-g(ə-)liŋ

: to stand or move with arms and legs spread wide