spread-eagle

From the verb spread eagle: (⇒ conjugate)

spread-eagle is: ⓘ

v 3rd person singular

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

spread-eagle adjective
also: spread-eagled, spreadeagled

1. lying or standing with arms and legs outstretched

verb

1. to assume or cause to assume the shape of a spread eagle
2. (intransitive) to execute a spread eagle

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ˈspread-ˈea•gle, adj., v., -gled, -gling. 
adj. [before a noun]

1. having or suggesting the form of an eagle with outstretched wings.

v. [~ + object]
2. to stretch out in a spread-eagle position:
   He was spread-eagled on the floor when the police found him.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

spread′ ea′gle, 

1. a representation of an eagle with outspread wings: used as an emblem of the U.S.
2. Sport an acrobatic figure in skating performed by making a glide with the skates touching heel-to-heel in a straight line and with the arms outstretched.
3. Sport an acrobatic stunt in ski jumping executed with the legs and arms widely outstretched to the sides.
• 1560–70

spread-ea•gle  (spred′ē′gəl), adj., v., -gled, -gling. 
adj. 

1. having or suggesting the form of a spread eagle.
2. lying prone with arms and legs outstretched.
3. boastful or bombastic, esp. in the display of patriotic or nationalistic pride in the U.S.

v.t. 

4. to stretch out (something) in the manner of a spread eagle.

v.i. 

5. to assume the position or perform the acrobatic figure of a spread eagle:
   The skater spread-eagled across the rink.

• 1820–30

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

spread eagle noun

1. the representation of an eagle with outstretched wings, used as an emblem of the US
2. an acrobatic skating figure