splay

American  

[spley] / spleɪ /

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.

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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 British  

/ spleɪ /

adjective

1. spread out; broad and flat

2. turned outwards in an awkward manner

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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 Word Forms

• unsplayed adjective

Etymology

Origin of splay

1300–50; Middle English; aphetic form of display

Example Sentences

Her legs splay, tilt and leap readily into pratfall action.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 16, 2024

"The island is kind of stuck in the middle of these splay faults, so anytime these splay faults rupture, it's actually recording the uplift," DePaolis said.

From Science Daily • May 20, 2024

Too many such cells caused the sepals to splay and expose the petals prematurely.

From Science Magazine • Aug. 23, 2023

Branches splay out widely and become roosting places for choirs of myna birds.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 10, 2023

Spasms cause Peeta’s hands to tighten into fists, then splay out in a bizarre fashion.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

• ample
• broad
• deep
• expanded
• extensive
• far-reaching
• full
• immense
• large
• loose
• spacious
• vast