prostration

[ pro-strey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of prostrating.
2. the state of being prostrated.
3. extreme mental or emotional depression or dejection:

   nervous prostration.

4. extreme physical weakness or exhaustion:

   heat prostration.

Word History and Origins

Origin of prostration¹

1520–30; < Late Latin prōstrātiōn- (stem of prōstrātiō ) a lying prone. See prostrate, -ion

Example Sentences

The financial markets were “on the verge of nervous prostration” awaiting the court’s ruling, as Joseph P. Kennedy, then chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, recounted.

From Los Angeles Times

With his thick beard, heavy-rimmed glasses and a prominent bruise on his forehead from prostration in prayer, he was notoriously prickly and pedantic.

From Washington Times

Washington state prosecutors are charging two teenage boys with hate crimes for allegedly beating a 13-year-old Muslim schoolmate while ordering him to perform religious prostrations.

From Washington Times

Prosecutors said Elsheikh made no complaint to the Red Cross of abuse during his detention; he was given a medical examination when taken into U.S. custody that showed only a “prostration mark” from praying.

From Washington Post

“Of nervous prostration following on great loss or waste of blood.”

From Literature