prostrate

[ pros-treyt ]

verb (used with object)

, pros·trat·ed, pros·trat·ing.

1. to cast (oneself ) face down on the ground in humility, submission, or adoration.
2. to lay flat, as on the ground.
3. to throw down level with the ground.
4. to overthrow, overcome, or reduce to helplessness.
5. to reduce to physical weakness or exhaustion.

adjective

1. lying flat or at full length, as on the ground.

   Synonyms: recumbent, supine, prone

2. lying face down on the ground, as in token of humility, submission, or adoration.
3. overthrown, overcome, or helpless:

   a country left prostrate by natural disasters.

4. physically weak or exhausted.
5. submissive.
6. utterly dejected or depressed; disconsolate.
7. Botany. (of a plant or stem) lying flat on the ground.

prostrate

adjective

1. lying with the face downwards, as in submission
2. exhausted physically or emotionally
3. helpless or defenceless
4. (of a plant) growing closely along the ground

verb

1. to bow or cast (oneself) down, as in submission
2. to lay or throw down flat, as on the ground
3. to make helpless or defenceless
4. to make exhausted

prostrate

/ prŏs′trāt′ /

1. Growing flat along the ground. Creeping jenny, pennyroyal, and many species of ivy have a prostrate growth habit.

Derived Forms

• prosˈtration, noun

Other Words From

• pros·tra·tive [pros, -tr, uh, -tiv], adjective
• prostra·tor noun
• un·prostrat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prostrate¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; (for the adjective) Middle English prostrat, from Latin prōstrātus “lying flat,” past participle of prōsternere “to lie flat, knock down, overthrow,” from prō- pro- ¹ + sternere “to lay out, stretch, spread”; verb derivative of the adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prostrate¹

C14: from Latin prōsternere to throw to the ground, from prō- before + sternere to lay low

Example Sentences

Videos shared on social media on Tuesday showed groups of Jewish Israelis singing the Israeli national anthem, some carrying the Israeli flag while others prostrate themselves in prayer at the edge of the holy site.

From BBC

George’s ambitious underlings strive for his intermittent approval and prostrate themselves, enduring petty humiliations only to crawl back and beg for more.

From New York Times

Department of Health and Human Services now requires consent for breast, pelvic, prostrate and rectal exams for “educational and training purposes” performed by medical students, nurse practitioners or physician assistants.

From Seattle Times

Their routine ended with both back on the ice, lying prostrate, chests heaving.

From BBC

Nonstop TV coverage showed the prime minister placing a lotus flower by the jet-black Ram idol in the temple’s inner sanctum, prostrating himself before it and all but declaring Hinduism a state religion.

From Los Angeles Times