splay

[ spley ]

verb (used with object)

1. to spread out, expand, or extend.
2. to form with an oblique angle; make slanting; bevel.
3. to make with a splay or splays.
4. to disjoin; dislocate.

verb (used without object)

1. to have an oblique or slanting direction.
2. to spread or flare.

noun

1. Architecture. a surface that makes an oblique angle with another, as where the opening through a wall for a window or door widens from the window or door proper toward the face of the wall.

adjective

1. spread out; wide and flat; turned outward.
2. clumsy or awkward.
3. oblique or awry.

splay

/ spleɪ /

adjective

1. spread out; broad and flat
2. turned outwards in an awkward manner

verb

1. to spread out; turn out or expand
2. tr vet science to dislocate (a joint)

noun

1. a surface of a wall that forms an oblique angle to the main flat surfaces, esp at a doorway or window opening
2. enlargement

Other Words From

• un·splayed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of splay¹

1300–50; Middle English; aphetic form of display

Word History and Origins

Origin of splay¹

C14: short for display

Example Sentences

Draw each hand into a fist or, for fingertips, lift until you’re holding your bodyweight on your fingertips, with your fingers splayed open for stability.

From Outside Online

On the decks, people were splayed out on their towels, lazily soaking up every ounce of sunshine, as if they had nowhere else to be.

From The Daily Beast

A few possessions earlier, James had taken a foul to the face from Warriors forward Draymond Green that left him splayed out on the court and needing eye drops once he returned to the bench.

From Washington Post

Girls, she explained, held their hands out at a distance, fingers splayed like a fan, to look at their nails.

From Washington Post

Her legs gradually drew up, splaying her knees outward — and drawing her feet inward — as if in some cruel, lotus-like pose.

From ProPublica

They are cut on the splay so that the front end is half the width of a header and one side half the length of the brick.

From Project Gutenberg

No variation, no change; the art of it is to keep almost to the same groove, and not to make the figure broad and splay.

From Project Gutenberg

The centre porch has twisted columns, which are carried round the splay of the arch.

From Project Gutenberg

Such a collection of splay feet, puffed joints, and misshapen limbs was assuredly never before made within so small a compass.

From Project Gutenberg

They are boldly splayed off, and in the middle of the splay is set a shaft, which finishes with a sculptured capital.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• skew
• tilt