decubitus

American  

[dih-kyoo-bi-tuhs] / dɪˈkyu bɪ təs /

noun

Medicine/Medical.

plural

decubitus

1. any position assumed by a patient when lying in bed.

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decubitus British  

/ dɪˈkjuːbɪtəs /

noun

1. med the posture adopted when lying down

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Other Word Forms

• decubital adjective

Etymology

Origin of decubitus

1865–70; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin dēcubi-, variant stem of dēcumbere to lie down, take to one's bed ( dē- de- + -cumbere, telic v., with nasal infix, corresponding to cubāre to lie) + -tus suffix of verbal action

Example Sentences

There are specialized positions—sidesaddle, spread eagle—and identical poses whose names add nuance: prostrate, supine, decubitus, shavasana.

From The New Yorker

In these cases the catheter should be used, rather than suffer any violation of the rule which demands a maintenance of unbroken decubitus.

From Project Gutenberg

In order to prevent the animal from assuming the sternal decubitus, many give preference to the plan of fastening a piece of wood across the stall at some distance from the front wall or manger.

From Project Gutenberg

Trophic sores were both early to develop, and extensive; primary decubitus occurred in all the cases I saw, and steady extension followed.

From Project Gutenberg

The more seriously affected animals are unable to stand and, in most instances, perish because of the effects of prolonged decubitus.

From Project Gutenberg