[f. as prec.] That sprawls, in senses of the verb: a. of animals or persons, their actions, etc.
1550. J. Coke, Eng. & Fr. Heralds, § 29. The vyle blacke poysoned spralyng todes.
1577. Stanyhurst, Descr. Irel., ii. 9/1. If you put the heire of an horse taile in mire … for a certaine space, it will turne to a little thin spraulyng worme.
1598. Marston, Sco. Villanie, III. xi. 225. The whirle on toe, The turne about ground, Robrus sprauling kicks.
1693. Creech, in Dryden’s Juvenal (1697), 333. The Cranes descend, and bear The sprawling Warriors through the liquid Air.
1740. Somerville, Hobbinol, I. 318. Whirl’d aloft High o’er his Head the sprawling Youth he flung.
1791. Nairne, Poems, 80. Both hands were necessary now, To drag it off to make a sprawling bow.
1802. James, Milit. Dict., s.v., A sprawling charge, a loose and irregular movement of cavalry, instead of a close, compact, forward attack.
1848. Mrs. Jamieson, Sacr. & Leg. Art (1850), 50. Of the sprawling, fluttering, half naked angels … what shall be said?
1899. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VII. 363. Its gait is of a peculiar sprawling character.
transf. 1623. Middleton, More Dissemblers, IV. ii. A pretty, womanish, faint, sprawling voice.
b. Of things.
a. 1771. C. Smart, Hop Garden, II. 93. Oft I’ve seen the mad pickers, tam’d to diligence, Cull from the bin the sprawling sprigs, and leaves That stain the sample.
1844. Dickens, Mart. Chuz., xxxix. A great black sprawling splash upon the floor.
1884. Sat. Rev., 5 July, 12/2. The huge sprawling Archdeaconry of Richmond.
1885. Runciman, Skippers & Sh., 268. Others strolled down the broad sprawling street of the village.
c. Of handwriting.
1826. Disraeli, V. Grey, I. ii. Travelling cases, directed in a boy’s sprawling hand.
1852. Mrs. Stowe, Uncle Tom’s C., xxviii. He … signed his name to it in sprawling capitals.
1907. H. Wyndham, Flare of Footlights, xv. The writing seemed vaguely familiar, but for the moment he could not identify the sprawling feminine hand.
