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Spread-eagle   /sprɛd-ˈigəl/   Listen
verb
spread-eagle  v. i.  To assume a spread-eagled position; it may be done reclining, for relaxation, or momentarily, as an exhibitionary maneuver in a sport.



adjective
spread-eagle  adj.  Characterized by a pretentious, boastful, exaggerated style; defiantly or extravagantly bombastic, especially regarding of the greatness of the U. S.; as, a spread-eagle orator; a spread-eagle speech. (Colloq. & Humorous)






Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48








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"Spread-eagle" Quotes from Famous Books



... to take up his abode in "Elysium," where he would be Chesterton's next-door neighbour, and in the same number as myself. We were to have a quiet breakfast in each others' rooms in turn every morning; no gross repast of beef-steaks and "spread-eagle" fowls, but a slight relish of anchovy toast, potted shrimps, or something equally ethereal; and the chasse-cafe limited to one cigar and no bottled porter. It was cruel to interfere with such unexceptionable arrangements; but a college, though ...
— Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 56, Number 349, November, 1844 • Various

... chiefly. I think the men are ready for anything that'll come; but I also think we should guard against a revolt of the midshipmen by healthy discipline now. Therefore I'll instruct the lieutenants to spread-eagle every midshipman for twelve hours. There's a stiff wind; there's a good stout spray, and the wind and spray should cool their hot souls. Meanwhile, though without food, they shall have water as they need it. If at the end of ...
— The Judgment House • Gilbert Parker

... impossible for a false doctrine to stand on its own feet that the spread-eagle advertisement of this school contradicts itself long before it gets to the "Sign here and mail to-day" coupon. "The first time you try to swim," shouts the advertisement, "for instance, you sink; and the first ...
— The Book of Business Etiquette • Nella Henney

... questionless pluck Of the blood unaccustomed to yield, Preferred to spread-eagle the ruck, And make a long tail of the "field". Bear witness, ye lovers of sport, To races of which he can boast, When flyer by flyer was caught, And beaten ...
— The Poems of Henry Kendall • Henry Kendall

... "He did not spread-eagle that fool," he said to himself, "but let me have the glory of pounding the ugly brute into jelly, and made me go in and win when I was ready to give in to the cad. Why did not Phil give him his cap? ...
— Acton's Feud - A Public School Story • Frederick Swainson


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