supine

[ adjective soo-pahyn; noun soo-pahyn ]

adjective

1. lying on the back, face or front upward.
2. inactive, passive, or inert, especially from indolence or indifference.
3. (of the hand) having the palm upward.

noun

1. (in Latin) a noun form derived from verbs, appearing only in the accusative and the dative-ablative, as dictū in mirābile dictū, “wonderful to say.”
2. (in English) the simple infinitive of a verb preceded by to.
3. an analogous form in some other language.

supine

adjective

1. lying or resting on the back with the face, palm, etc, upwards
2. displaying no interest or animation; lethargic

noun

1. grammar a noun form derived from a verb in Latin, often used to express purpose with verbs of motion sup

Derived Forms

• suˈpinely, adverb
• suˈpineness, noun

Other Words From

• su·pinely adverb
• su·pineness noun
• unsu·pine adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of supine¹

First recorded in 1490–1500, supine is from the Latin word supīnus lying face up, inactive

Word History and Origins

Origin of supine¹

C15: from Latin supīnus related to sub under, up; (in grammatical sense) from Latin verbum supīnum supine word (the reason for this use is unknown)

Example Sentences

In effect, an overreaching administration and a supine FISC are ginning up a secret constitution.

From The Daily Beast

On closer examination, this is not the hand of a supine victim.

From The Daily Beast

A fur seal stands upright on his fore flippers, a hair seal lies supine.

From Project Gutenberg

The supine position, as in the adult, is imposed only at night.

From Project Gutenberg

She sat back in her chair, gazing up the darkening river, her hands lying supine on her knees.

From Project Gutenberg

A burst of criticism followed from England; press and politicians joined in denouncing the blind and supine colonials.

From Project Gutenberg

Unfortunately, the supine ignorance of the fair sex in Sarrio made these ingenious modes of communication null and void.

From Project Gutenberg