I. ˈspred-ˌē-gəl verb
( -ea·gled ; spread-·ea·gling -ˌē-g(ə-)liŋ)
Date: 1826
intransitive verb
1. : to execute a spread eagle (as in skating)
2. : to stand or move with arms and legs stretched out : sprawl
transitive verb
1. : to stretch out into the position of a spread eagle
2. : to spread over
II. adjective
Etymology: from the spread eagle on the Great Seal of the United States
Date: 1858
: marked by bombast and boastful exaggeration especially of the greatness of the United States
spread-eagle oratory