spread eagle

¹ American  

noun

1. a representation of an eagle with outspread wings: used as an emblem of the U.S.

2. 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.

3. an acrobatic stunt in ski jumping executed with the legs and arms widely outstretched to the sides.

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spread-eagle ² American  

[spred-ee-guhl] / ˈsprɛdˌi gəl /

adjective

1. having or suggesting the form of a spread eagle.

2. lying prone with arms and legs outstretched.

3. boastful or bombastic, especially in the display of patriotic or nationalistic pride in the U.S.

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verb (used with object)

spread-eagled, spread-eagling

1. to stretch out (something) in the manner of a spread eagle.

verb (used without object)

spread-eagled, spread-eagling

1. to assume the position or perform the acrobatic figure of a spread eagle.

   The skater spread-eagled across the rink.

spread-eagle ¹ British  

adjective

1. lying or standing with arms and legs outstretched

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verb

1. to assume or cause to assume the shape of a spread eagle

2. (intr) skating to execute a spread eagle

spread eagle ² British  

noun

1. the representation of an eagle with outstretched wings, used as an emblem of the US

2. an acrobatic skating figure

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Etymology

Origin of spread eagle¹

First recorded in 1560–70

Origin of spread-eagle²

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

The crash sent his friend "face down, spread eagle, with Gwyneth on top of him", but Ms Paltrow slid off him and bolted from the scene while he lay unresponsive, Mr Ramone testified.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2023

Niskanen crossed the line and collapsed, spread eagle, with a time of 37 minutes, 54.8 seconds.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 11, 2022

When a girl went into labor, she was dropped off at a hospital, where most labored alone, often strapped, spread eagle, to a hospital bed, according to “The Girls Who Went Away.”

From Washington Post • Nov. 19, 2018

In one of their lifts, Ms. Virtue looked almost angelic, balancing on Mr. Moir's right thigh with her arms outstretched while he stayed in a deep-kneed spread eagle before she flipped down into his arms.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2010

It stood in the centre of the village, and announced itself to the public through a sign, upon which were painted a cock crowing and a spread eagle.

From The Puddleford Papers, Or Humors of the West by Riley, H. H.