Definition

1. Noun:
   • A skating figure: A specific figure in ice skating or roller skating executed with the skates positioned heel-to-heel in a straight line, with the body and limbs extended.
   • An emblem: An eagle with its wings and legs spread apart, depicted on the obverse (front) of the Great Seal of the United States and other official insignia.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The skater performed a perfect spread eagle during her routine, holding the position for several seconds.
  • The spread eagle is a prominent symbol on the Great Seal, representing freedom and strength.

Advanced Usage

• "spread-eagle" (as a verb, often hyphenated): To position someone or something with arms and legs stretched out wide.
  • The guards spread-eagled the suspect against the wall for a search.
• "spread-eagle" (as an adjective, often hyphenated): Describing something that is stretched out or displayed in a wide, open manner.
  • He lay in a spread-eagle position on the grass, staring at the clouds.

Variants and Related Words

• Spread-eagled (adj): The state of being stretched out with limbs extended.
  • The map was spread-eagled on the table.
• Spread-eagling (n/gerund): The act of positioning in a spread-eagle manner.

Synonyms

• Emblem/Symbol: The heraldic eagle.
• Figure/Position: The skating figure or the outstretched bodily posture.

Related Phrases

• "To go spread-eagle": To fall or lie down with arms and legs outstretched.
  • He tripped and went spread-eagle on the pavement.

Notes on Usage

• When referring to the skating figure or the emblem, the term is commonly written as two separate words: spread eagle.
• When used as a verb or adjective to describe the act or state of being stretched out, it is often hyphenated: spread-eagle (verb: to spread-eagle; adjective: a spread-eagle position).
• The term can have a colloquial, historical meaning referring to a method of corporal punishment (e.g., being tied in a spreadeagled position), but this usage is now archaic.

Noun

1. a skating figure executed with the skates heel to heel in a straight line
2. an emblem (an eagle with wings and legs spread) on the obverse of the Great Seal of the United States