prone

¹

[ prohn ]

adjective

1. having a natural inclination or tendency to something; disposed; liable:

   to be prone to anger.

   Synonyms: subject, apt

2. having the front or ventral part downward; lying face downward.
3. lying flat; prostrate.

   Synonyms: recumbent

4. having a downward direction or slope.
5. having the palm downward, as the hand.

prone

²

[ prohn ]

noun

1. a sermon or a brief hortatory introduction to a sermon, usually delivered at a service at which the Eucharist is celebrated.

prone

¹

/ prəʊn /

adjective

1. lying flat or face downwards; prostrate
2. sloping or tending downwards
3. having an inclination to do something

-prone

²

combining form

1. liable or disposed to suffer

   accident-prone

Derived Forms

• ˈpronely, adverb
• ˈproneness, noun

Other Words From

• pronely adverb
• proneness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of prone¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin prōnus “turned or leaning forward, inclined downward, disposed,” adverb based on prō pro ¹( def )

Origin of prone²

First recorded in 1660–70; from French prône “grill, grating (separating chancel from nave),” so called because notices and addresses were delivered there, from Old French prodne, prorne, prosne, by way of a Medieval Latin or Late Latin intermediary such as protinum (unrecorded) from Latin prothyrum “foyer, porch, vestibule,” from Greek próthyron, from pró pro- ²( def ) + thýra “door” ( door ( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of prone¹

C14: from Latin prōnus bent forward, from pro- ¹

Example Sentences

“We have also notified the property owners that we feel like their buildings are seismically prone and they may be considered soft story,” said David Khorram, Long Beach’s superintendent of building and safety.

From Los Angeles Times

The effect was found chiefly in people prone to concentrate fluoride in their bones, such as those with kidney disease.

From Los Angeles Times

Natural disasters like floods become more of a threat to the lives and livelihoods of tribal members — tribal lands in Oklahoma are the most prone to flooding in the state.

From Salon

Think of how it would be to drink a juice with wheat bran in it -- you may imagine an unpleasant gritty sensation which would make you less prone to enjoy it.

From Science Daily

The artist grew up to be rebellious and insecure in equal measure, and was prone to defensive behavior.

From New York Times

Related Words

• apt
• devoted
• exposed
• inclined
• ready
• sensitive
• susceptible
• willing