spread-eagle meaning

UK US

spread-eagle (verb): stretch out completely.

spread-eagle has 6 meanings in this dictionary, as verb and adjective.

spread-eagle as a verb

  1. stretch out completely
    • They spread-eagled him across the floor

    Type of: stretch

  2. stretch over
    • His residences spread-eagle the entire county

    Type of: range

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

    Type of: figure skate

  4. stand with arms and legs spread out

    Type of: sprawl

  5. defeat disastrously

    Synonyms: spreadeagle, rout

    Type of: beat

spread-eagle as an adjective

  1. with arms and legs stretched out and apart
    • lay spread-eagle on the floor

    Similar: extended

More about spread-eagle on Wikipedia.