sprawl: Meaning and Definition of

sprawl

Pronunciation: (sprôl), [key]
— v.i.
  1. to be stretched or spread out in an unnatural or ungraceful manner: The puppy's legs sprawled in all directions.
  2. to sit or lie in a relaxed position with the limbs spread out carelessly or ungracefully: He sprawled across the bed.
  3. to spread out, extend, or be distributed in a straggling or irregular manner, as vines, buildings, handwriting, etc.
  4. to crawl awkwardly with the aid of all the limbs; scramble.
—v.t.
  1. to stretch out (the limbs) as in sprawling.
  2. to spread out or distribute in a straggling manner.
—n.
  1. the act or an instance of sprawling; a sprawling posture.
  2. a straggling array of something.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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