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spread eagle
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noun
a representation of an eagle with outspread wings: used as an emblem of the U.S.
an acrobatic figure in skating performed by making a glide with the skates touching heel-to-heel in a straight line and with the arms outstretched.
an acrobatic stunt in ski jumping executed with the legs and arms widely outstretched to the sides.
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Origin of spread eagle
First recorded in 1560–70
Words nearby spread eagle
spray skirt, spray tank, spread, spreadable, spread betting, spread eagle, spread-eagleism, spreader, spreader beam, spreader-ditcher, spreading center
Other definitions for spread eagle (2 of 2)
spread-eagle
[ spred-ee-guhl ]
/ ˈsprɛdˌi gəl /
adjective
having or suggesting the form of a spread eagle.
lying prone with arms and legs outstretched.
boastful or bombastic, especially in the display of patriotic or nationalistic pride in the U.S.
verb (used with object), spread-ea·gled, spread-ea·gling.
to stretch out (something) in the manner of a spread eagle.
verb (used without object), spread-ea·gled, spread-ea·gling.
to assume the position or perform the acrobatic figure of a spread eagle: The skater spread-eagled across the rink.
Origin of spread-eagle
First recorded in 1820–30
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use spread eagle in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for spread eagle (1 of 2)
spread eagle
noun
the representation of an eagle with outstretched wings, used as an emblem of the US
an acrobatic skating figure
British Dictionary definitions for spread eagle (2 of 2)
spread-eagle
adjective Also: spread-eagled
lying or standing with arms and legs outstretched
verb
to assume or cause to assume the shape of a spread eagle
(intr) skating to execute a spread eagle
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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