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to spread-eagle

to spread-eagle

7.6
To stretch across a large area
  • phrasal verb
  • /ˈsprɛdˌiɡəl/
translation icon : extenderse
  • The large estate spread-eagles across the entire valley, touching several neighboring villages.

Examples

  • The new railway line will soon spread-eagle the region with tracks and stations.

  • The new bridge will spread-eagle across the river, providing easy access to both sides.

  • His influence spread-eagled far beyond the company, reaching into politics and education.

  • The bird spread-eagled its wings to take flight.

  • He loves to spread-eagle on the grass.

  • With its wings fully spread-eagle, the eagle soared majestically over the mountains.

  • The artist decided to spread-eagle the colors across the canvas to create a vibrant effect.

Synonyms

to spread
vsto spread-eagle
664 1.6

To put a thin layer over a surface

is about stretching to span wide areas rather than distributing items
to cover
vsto spread-eagle
192 3.3

To go across an area or distance

emphasizes stretching out to span wide areas rather than movement
to sweep
vsto spread-eagle
127 2.3

To extend across a large area or long distance

describes broad stretching to occupy space rather than moving through it
to sprawl
vsto spread-eagle
27 4.6

To spread out over a large area in an untidy way

describes even wide stretching rather than untidy or irregular occupation
to spread out
vsto spread-eagle
24 3.1

To arrange or unfold things so they cover a larger area

is about stretching broadly rather than deliberate arranging or placing
to spread over
vsto spread-eagle
17 3.6

Form a layer across a surface, like fog or icing

is focused on stretching across wide space rather than forming layers
to straddle
vsto spread-eagle
13 5.0

To reach across an area so parts are on both sides

means broad stretching across an area rather than spanning a specific range
to stretch along
vsto spread-eagle
2 4.2

To continue for a long distance along a narrow area

refers to wide extension rather than following a narrow line
to overspread
vsto spread-eagle
1 7.1

Move across a surface and cover it, like mist or color

is focused on stretching widely rather than on full surface coverage

Antonyms

130 3.6

To bring people or things together in one place

94 3.7

To press something so it takes less space

How Wide

to spread-eagle
7.6
to spread
664 1.6
to extend
265 2.7
to span
  • Specialized
98 3.4
to cover
1.0

Surface Forms

spread-eagle infinitive
spread-eagled past participle
spread-eagling present participle
spread-eagles third person singular

Morphology

spread-eagle = spread + eagle (transparent) = spread + eagle

The meaning follows directly from the image of spreading like an eagle's wings over a wide area.

Etymology

Spread-eagle can mean to stretch out over a wide area, like an eagle flying with spread 'wings' across the sky. That is why we say something can spread-eagle across land or reach far and wide.