to spread-eagle

Examples

• All

• Jeff is spread-eagled on the ground.

  Fiction book (1997)

• The gymnast lay spread-eagle on the mat after landing her difficult routine.

• And you looked great all spread-eagled on the rock face.

  Fiction book (1992)

• She lay absolutely still, spread-eagled out in the shape of a star.

  Fiction book (2002)

• Tim's body lies spread-eagled beneath him.

  Fiction book (1994)

• Kyle is lying spread-eagled on top of his bike, on the scraggly, burnt front lawn.

  Fiction book (1992)

• They are pinioned, spread-eagled.

  Fiction book (1994)

• After the fall, he found himself spread-eagle in the snow, trying to catch his breath.

• She was spread-eagle on the bed, enjoying the sunny warmth of the afternoon light.

Synonyms

S

to sprawl

vsto spread-eagle

32 4.1

To sit or lie with arms and legs spread out

is neutral in manner rather than ungainly or relaxed

S

to sprawl out

vsto spread-eagle

• Informal

5 3.8

Lie or sit with arms and legs spread out and relaxed

is less casual and does not imply carelessness

S

to spraddle

vsto spread-eagle

• Archaic

8.3

To sit, stand, or move with legs spread wide

can also refer to placing another person in that wide limb position

Antonyms

C

to curl

173 1.1

To form into a curved or spiral shape

How Wide

to spread-eagle

1 7.7

to splay

13 6.7

to spread out

24 3.1

to stretch out

20 3.4

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology