Spread Eagle

B2 16+

Pronunciation: /sprɛd ˈiːɡəl/

Definitions of spread eagle

noun a position in which a person lies face down with arms and legs stretched out

Example Sentences

A1 I saw a spread eagle in the sky while hiking.

A2 The spread eagle soared gracefully above the treetops.

B1 The spread eagle's wingspan was impressive as it glided through the air.

B2 The spread eagle perched on a branch, scanning the ground for prey.

C1 The spread eagle's sharp eyesight allowed it to spot a fish in the river below.

C2 The photographer captured a stunning shot of the spread eagle in flight.

verb to stretch out one's body with arms and legs extended in opposite directions

Example Sentences

A1 The bird spread eagle its wings and flew away.

A2 She spread eagle on the beach to catch some sun.

B1 The gymnast spread eagle on the balance beam with grace.

B2 The dancer spread eagle on the stage, showcasing her flexibility.

C1 He spread eagle on the bed, completely relaxed.

C2 The yoga instructor demonstrated how to spread eagle in a challenging pose.

Examples of spread eagle in a Sentence

formal The suspect was found lying on the ground in a spread eagle position.

informal He was so drunk at the party, he ended up passed out spread eagle on the couch.

slang I heard he got caught trying to sneak into the concert by doing a spread eagle move over the fence.

figurative The new policy caused a spread eagle effect on the company's profits, spreading them thin across different departments.

Grammatical Forms of spread eagle

past tense

spread eagled

plural

spread eagles

comparative

more spread eagle

superlative

most spread eagle

present tense

spread eagle

future tense

will spread eagle

perfect tense

have spread eagled

continuous tense

is spread eagling

singular

spread eagle

positive degree

spread eagle

infinitive

to spread eagle

gerund

spreading eagle

participle

spread eagling

Origin and Evolution of spread eagle

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: English
Story behind the word: The term 'spread eagle' originated from heraldry, where it referred to a stylized representation of an eagle with outstretched wings.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the term 'spread eagle' evolved to also refer to a physical position where a person is spread-eagled, with arms and legs stretched out wide apart. It can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is vulnerable or exposed.