Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
spread-eagle. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
spread-eagle, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
spread-eagle in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
spread-eagle you have here. The definition of the word
spread-eagle will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
spread-eagle, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From splayed-eagle (in heraldry), splayed + eagle.
Adjective
spread-eagle (comparative more spread-eagle, superlative most spread-eagle)
- Lying with arms and legs outstretched and separated.
- (colloquial, humorous) Characterized by a pretentious, boastful, exaggerated style; bombastic.
- a spread-eagle orator
- a spread-eagle speech
Derived terms
Verb
spread-eagle (third-person singular simple present spread-eagles, present participle spread-eagling, simple past and past participle spread-eagled)
- (transitive) To put into a spread-eagle position, with arms and legs extended and spread.
- (intransitive) To put one's body in a spread eagle.
Translations
Lying with arms and legs outstretched and separated