prostrate Hear it!

prostrate definition

pros·trate (prästrāt′)

adjective

  1. lying with the face downward in demonstration of great humility or abject submission
  2. lying flat, prone, or supine
  3. thrown or fallen to the ground
    1. laid low; completely overcome; helpless prostrate with grief
    2. in a state of physical exhaustion or weakness
  4. Bot. growing on the ground; trailing

Etymology: ME prostrat < L prostratus, pp. of prosternere, to lay flat < pro-, before + sternere, to stretch out < IE base *ster- > strew

transitive verb prostrated -·trat′ed, prostrating -·trat′·ing

  1. to throw or put in a prostrate position; lay flat on the ground
  2. to lay low; overcome; exhaust or subjugate

Comments


Do you have more to add? Sign in to share your linguistic knowledge or observation.

Connect with Facebook