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/sprˈɔlɪŋ/ Listen

verb

Sprawl v. i. (past & past part. sprawled; pres. part. sprawling)

To spread and stretch the body or limbs carelessly in a horizontal position; to lie with the limbs stretched out ungracefully.

To spread irregularly, as vines, plants, or trees; to spread ungracefully, as chirography.

To move, when lying down, with awkward extension and motions of the limbs; to scramble in creeping. "The birds were not fledged; but upon sprawling and struggling to get clear of the flame, down they tumbled."

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Etymology of 'Sprawling'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Sprawling" Quotes from Famous Books

... up the breach, on the express condition, however, that they should drink a bottle of wine each between the toasts. But Mr. Tooke would not give his assent unless the liquor should be brandy. By the time a quart had been quaffed Boswell was left sprawling ...

— Life Of Johnson, Vol. 3 • Boswell, Edited by Birkbeck Hill

... the King saw coming through the sky the great straggling, sprawling, wicked shape of the Red Dragon. And he knew at once what he must do. He caught up The Book of Beasts and jumped on the back of the gentle, beautiful Hippogriff, and leaning down he whispered in the sharp, white ear: "Fly, dear Hippogriff, fly your ...

— The Book of Dragons • Edith Nesbit

... rescued by the lady of the house; the Dog was once more sprawling on the boards when the man on Jack's trail arrived. He carried, not a gun, but a stout stick, sometimes called "dog-medicine," and that was all that prevented the Dog attacking the enemy of ...

— Animal Heroes • Ernest Thompson Seton

... felt a severe blow from behind, which sent him sprawling. I also received a push or a drive, and a loud laugh burst ...

— Young Folks Treasury, Volume 3 (of 12) - Classic Tales And Old-Fashioned Stories • Various

... of bacon and juicy relishing ham; not a turkey but he beheld daintily trussed up, with its gizzard under its wing, and, peradventure, a necklace of savory sausages; and even bright Chanticleer himself lay sprawling on his back in a side-dish, with uplifted claws, as if craving that quarter which his chivalrous spirit ...

— The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. • Washington Irving

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