sprawl

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an aggregation or continuous network of urban communities
  2. noun an ungainly posture with arms and legs spread about
  3. verb sit or lie with one's limbs spread out

Etymology

From Middle English spraulen, from Old English spreawlian (“move convulsively”), ultimately through a Proto-Germanic form cognate with *spreutaną (“to sprout”) from Proto-Indo-European *sper- (“to strew”). Compare North Frisian spraweli, Norwegian sprala, Swedish sprala.

In classic literature

Synonyms

conurbation, urban sprawl

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