spread-eagleism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very rare / ObsoleteFormal, Historical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “spread-eagleism” mean?
The state or quality of being in a spread-eagle position.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state or quality of being in a spread-eagle position; an attitude or posture of being stretched out with limbs extended.
An attitude of aggressive national pride, boastful patriotism, or jingoism; ostentatious or excessive display of nationalist fervour.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated and was used more frequently in American political discourse of the 19th century to criticise ostentatious patriotism.
Connotations
In both varieties, the figurative use carries negative connotations of arrogance and empty boasting. The literal use is neutral.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use in both varieties, surviving mainly in historical analysis or stylised writing.
Grammar
How to Use “spread-eagleism” in a Sentence
accusations of [spread-eagleism]a display of [spread-eagleism][spread-eagleism] and [jingoism]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “spread-eagleism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The politician was accused of spread-eagling his nationalist credentials.
American English
- The editorial spread-eagled the nation's supposed superiority.
adverb
British English
- He lay spread-eagle on the grass.
American English
- She fell spread-eagle onto the mat.
adjective
British English
- He took a spread-eagle stance on the podium.
American English
- The candidate's spread-eagle rhetoric appealed to a specific base.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical or political studies analysing 19th-century American rhetoric.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used (except potentially in historical linguistics).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spread-eagleism”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “spread-eagleism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spread-eagleism”
- Misspelling as 'spreadeagleism' (without hyphen).
- Confusing with the verb 'to spread-eagle'.
- Using it in modern contexts where 'jingoism' or 'nationalism' are more appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic or historical term rarely encountered in modern English outside of scholarly works discussing 19th-century politics.
They are very similar pejorative terms for aggressive patriotism. 'Jingoism' (late 19th-century British origin) often implies a stronger readiness for war, while 'spread-eagleism' (19th-century American origin) emphasises boastful, expansive rhetoric.
Yes, that is its original, literal meaning describing a person or thing with limbs fully extended. However, the figurative sense is now better known in historical contexts.
In British English: /ˌspred ˈiːɡ(ə)lɪz(ə)m/. In American English: /ˌspred ˈiɡəlˌɪzəm/. The stress is on 'ea' in 'eagle'.
The state or quality of being in a spread-eagle position.
Spread-eagleism is usually formal, historical, literary in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a boastful eagle spreading its wings wide to show off - that's the essence of 'spread-eagleism'.
Conceptual Metaphor
BOASTFULNESS IS A PHYSICAL EXPANSION / NATIONAL PRIDE IS AN EXPANSIVE POSTURE
Practice
Quiz
In a historical context, 'spread-eagleism' is most closely associated with which concept?