sprawling

Noun · Adjective
Synonyms: sprawlstragglingramblingstraggly

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. an ungainly posture with arms and legs spread aboutSynonyms: sprawl

Adjective (1)

  1. spreading out in different directions“sprawling handwriting”“straggling branches”“straggly hair”Synonyms: stragglingramblingstraggly
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Sprawl \Sprawl\ (spr[add]l), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Sprawled (spr[add]ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Sprawling.] [OE. spraulen; cf. Sw. sprattla to sprawl, dial. Sw. spralla, Dan. spraelle, spraelde, D. spartelen, spertelen, to flounder, to struggle.]

1.To spread and stretch the body or limbs carelessly in a horizontal position; to lie with the limbs stretched out ungracefully. [1913 Webster]

2.To spread irregularly, as vines, plants, or trees; to spread ungracefully, as chirography. [1913 Webster]

3.To move, when lying down, with awkward extension and motions of the limbs; to scramble in creeping. [1913 Webster]

The birds were not fledged; but upon sprawling and struggling to get clear of the flame, down they tumbled.— L'Estrange.[1913 Webster]
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