adjective / verb
prostrate
PRAHS-trayt/ˈprɑːstreɪt/
Lying flat and face down.
After exercising, an exhausted adult lies prostrate on a yoga mat.
Etymology
“Spreading out in front” underlies the Latin sense “throw down.” The adjective describes someone laid flat, especially face-down in submission, and also someone knocked flat by exhaustion.
In context
to which the prostrate man replied, I am prisoner enough as it is; I cannot stir, for one of my legs is broken
More examples
- The worshipper prostrates himself before the altar.
- She lay prostrate on the floor, her forehead touching the carpet.
- The pilgrims prostrated themselves on the ground in prayer.
Forms
prostrate · prostrates · prostrated · prostrating
prostration noun — The act of lying face down in submission.
Similar words
- prone
- Specifies a face-down position without suggesting submission or exhaustion.
- recumbent
- Means lying down in any position, not necessarily face down.