Hypertext Webster Gateway: "spreadeagle"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Spread-eagle \Spread"-ea`gle\, a.
Characterized by a pretentious, boastful, exaggerated style;
defiantly or extravagantly bombastic; as, a spread-eagle
orator; a spread-eagle speech. [Colloq.& Humorous]
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
spread-eagle
adj : with arms and legs stretched out and apart; "lay
spread-eagle on the floor"
v 1: stretch out completely; "They spread-eagled him across the
floor"
2: stretch over; "His residences spread-eagle the entire
county"
3: execute a spread eagle, with arms and legs stretched out
4: stand with arms and legs spread out
5: defeat disastrously [syn: {spreadeagle}, {rout}]
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
spreadeagle
v : defeat disastrously [syn: {spread-eagle}, {rout}]
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