well-spreadadj.
/ˌwɛlˈsprɛd/, U.S. /ˌwɛlˈsprɛd/ 1. With reference to an animal's (or occasionally a person's) body: having broad proportions; spec. (of a horse) having a broad rear. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > largeness > [adjective] > of vast extent
broadOE
sideOE
wideOE
largec1230
spaciousa1382
unridea1425
amplea1492
well-spreadc1540
main1548
overreaching1579
widespread1582
spacious1587
wide-spreading1587
scopeful1598
vasty1598
scopious1599
vast1600
worldwide1602
spaceful1621
dimensious1632
voluminousa1661
extensive1706
sheety1748
sweeping1772
extended1779
expansive1806
wide-spreaded1820
heaven-wide1835
spanless1847
rangy1898
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > family Equidae (general equines) > body or parts of horse > [adjective] > having strong or broad hind-quarters
well-spreadc1540
well-coupleda1642
strong-dockeda1652
full-trussed1683
broad-spread1687
c1540 J. Gostwick in Publ. Bedfordshire Hist. Rec. Soc. (1955) 36 43 Let them [sc. colts] be well spread behind of the buttockes & smalle heded.
1576 A. Fleming tr. J. Caius Of Eng. Dogges 8 Thys Dogge..is not lancke, leane and hollow, but well spred, smoothe, full, fatte, and round.
1592 R. Greene Blacke Bookes Messenger sig. C Hee was a faire large Gelding well spread and forheaded.
1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique i. xiii. 89 The cow..is..nor yet short or small, but bright, blacke, and of a wide and well spread shape.
1639 T. de Gray Compl. Horseman i. iv. 22 He [sc. a horse] must have..large Thighes, round well spread Buttockes.
1654 E. Gayton Pleasant Notes Don Quixot ii. ii. 38 The Monks were very well spread men, not dwindlers, but of an ample size.
1685 London Gaz. No. 2062/4 Lost a black Coach Mare.., well spread behind.
1776 J. Mills Treat. Cattle iii. 255 The female [mule] should also be full bodied, but with small feet and dry legs, well-spread buttocks..and a small lean head.
1827 Sporting Mag. 20 159 Good hind legs and well spread gaskins are very essential points in a coach horse.
1877 Wallace's Monthly Feb. 31/1 She [sc. a bay mare] was well spread, on short legs, with plenty of bone and muscle.
1927 Dog Fancier Nov. 40/2 A terrier..should be built like a lightweight hunter in the forequarters and like a hackney in the rear quarters. That will give a narrow front and a well-spread rear.
2. Widely extended, distributed, or spread out; extensive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > [adjective] > spread out
openc1350
expanded?a1475
spread?c1510
splayeda1547
bredea1550
extended1552
spreaded1567
displayed1578
well-spread1600
outspreada1618
spreaden1620
expansed1628
extent1633
spread-out1644
explicate1661
expatiated1681
patulous1682
expatiate1702
sheeted1797
a-spread1879
1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique i. xvii. 112 Plant..some well spred tree of a great hight.
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 395 An ancient and well spred family.
a1652 A. Wilson Hist. Great Brit. (1653) 50 Men of well-spread fame.
1708 N. Rowe Royal Convert ii. i. 18 I took my usual Way, To seek the Coolness of the well-spread Shade.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson iii. ii. 308 Woods..of tall and well spread trees.
1832 J. Webster Facts concerned Anat. Instr. 453/1 Those who were ignorant of the advantages the city afforded, are..caught in this well spread net.
1895 Amer. Gardening 23 Mar. 116/1 The right way also includes planting at proper depth, and with roots well spread.
1984 D. Brown & R. G. Hallman Reclaiming Disturbed Lands 30/2 The blower mechanism..blows the mulch out the discharge chute to provide a well-spread layer of mulch.
1994 Sunday Times 6 Mar. v. 16/3 The astute investor can end up with a well-spread portfolio including different types of asset, all completely tax-free.
2010 P. Michelson Exploring Taste & Trad. 140 The rich, creamy pâte of this cheese, with well-spread blue molds, has a mineral tanginess.
3. Of a surface or item of furniture: plentifully or elegantly covered; esp. (of a table) laid out for a good meal or feast. Later also: designating a plentiful meal or feast.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > covering > [adjective] > covered > thickly
well-coveredc1430
thick-shelleda1657
well-spread1656
thick-fleeced1864
the world > food and drink > food > setting table > [adjective]
spread1641
well-spread1837
1656 in A. Wright Parnassus Biceps 126 Whether..I should most Commend..Your well spread table, or the choise Banquet of your hand and voyce.
1691 Reasons shewing Absolute Necessity Large & Speedy Supplys 12 The plentiful well-spread Table of Dyonisius.
1777 R. Potter tr. Æschylus Choephoræ in tr. Æschylus Tragedies 356 The well-spread couch Inviting soft repose.
1785 W. Cowper Task iii. 408 Proud of his well-spread walls.
1837 J. G. Lockhart Mem. Life Scott IV. v. 166 The curious neophytes that surrounded the well-spread board.
1854 R. S. Surtees Handley Cross (new ed.) xxiv. 165 The pawing of a horse..caused him to look up from his well-spread table.
1862 W. J. Stewart Footsteps behind Him III. x. 227 There was always a well-spread lunch.
1909 Battle Creek Idea 22 Oct. 8/2 Over eighty guests sat down to a well-spread dinner in the south.
1977 F. Noske Signifier & Signified iv. 89 Don Giovanni, seated at a well-spread table, is served by Leporello.
2002 B. Ortenheim Crystal City iii. 79 Of the well-spread table, only one carafe of wine remained.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.c1540