SPREAD-EAGLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does spread-eagle mean? 

• SPREAD-EAGLE (adjective)
  The adjective SPREAD-EAGLE has 1 sense:

1. with arms and legs stretched out and apart

  Familiarity information: SPREAD-EAGLE used as an adjective is very rare.

• SPREAD-EAGLE (verb)
  The verb SPREAD-EAGLE has 5 senses:

1. stretch out completely

2. stretch over

3. execute a spread eagle on skates, with arms and legs stretched out

4. stand with arms and legs spread out

5. defeat disastrously

  Familiarity information: SPREAD-EAGLE used as a verb is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SPREAD-EAGLE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

With arms and legs stretched out and apart

Context example:

lay spread-eagle on the floor

Similar:

extended (fully extended or stretched forth)

• SPREAD-EAGLE (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Stretch out completely

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Context example:

They spread-eagled him across the floor

Hypernyms (to "spread-eagle" is one way to...):

extend; stretch (extend one's limbs or muscles, or the entire body)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Sense 2

Meaning:

Stretch over

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Context example:

His residences spread-eagle the entire county

Hypernyms (to "spread-eagle" is one way to...):

range; straddle (range or extend over; occupy a certain area)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Sense 3

Meaning:

Execute a spread eagle on skates, with arms and legs stretched out

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "spread-eagle" is one way to...):

figure skate (dance on skates)

Domain category:

athletics; sport (an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sense 4

Meaning:

Stand with arms and legs spread out

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "spread-eagle" is one way to...):

sprawl (sit or lie with one's limbs spread out)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sense 5

Meaning:

Defeat disastrously

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Synonyms:

rout; spread-eagle; spreadeagle

Hypernyms (to "spread-eagle" is one way to...):

beat; beat out; crush; shell; trounce; vanquish (come out better in a competition, race, or conflict)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence example:

The fighter managed to spread-eagle his opponent