spread-eagle

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spread-ea·gle • v. [tr.] (usu. be spread-eagled) stretch (someone) out with their arms and legs extended: he lay spread-eagled in the road. ∎  [intr.] Skating perform a spread eagle.• n. (spread ea·gle) an emblematic representation of an eagle with its legs and wings extended. ∎  Figure Skating a straight glide made with the feet in a line, with the heels touching, and the arms stretched out to either side.• adj. 1. stretched out with one's arms and legs extended: prisoners are chained to their beds, spread-eagle, for days at a time.2. loudly or aggressively patriotic about the U.S.: spread-eagle oratory.

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