I. ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: spread eagle
intransitive verb
1. : to execute a spread eagle (as in skating)
2. : to stand or move with the arms and legs stretched out : sprawl
the boys spread-eagled across the cinders — J.A.Michener
transitive verb
1.
a. : to put into the position of a spread eagle : stretch out
spread-eagled him on a log — R.P.Warren
b. : to spread over : stretch across : straddle
the company's plants spread-eagled the state
2.
a. : to defeat completely : rout
threatened to spread-eagle the field — Clifford Bloodgood
b. : to scatter (an opposing team) in football
c. : to break and spread (a wicket) with a bowled ball in cricket
II. adjective
Etymology: spread eagle
1. : resembling or suggestive of a spread eagle
sprawled in a spread-eagle position
2. : marked by bombast and boastful exaggeration especially of the greatness of the U.S. : vainglorious
to paint the biggest picture in the world was no inappropriate ambition for that spread-eagle era — Dixon Wecter
a spread-eagle orator
a spread-eagle speech