prostrate

[ pros-treyt ]

See synonyms for: prostrate prostrated on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),pros·trat·ed, pros·trat·ing.

to cast (oneself) face down on the ground in humility, submission, or adoration.
to lay flat, as on the ground.

to throw down level with the ground.
to overthrow, overcome, or reduce to helplessness.
to reduce to physical weakness or exhaustion.

adjective

lying flat or at full length, as on the ground.
lying face down on the ground, as in token of humility, submission, or adoration.

overthrown, overcome, or helpless: a country left prostrate by natural disasters.
physically weak or exhausted.
submissive.
utterly dejected or depressed; disconsolate.
Botany. (of a plant or stem) lying flat on the ground.

Origin of prostrate

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

Other words for prostrate

6	prone, supine, recumbent

See synonyms for prostrate on Thesaurus.com

Other words from prostrate

pros·tra·tive [pros-truh-tiv], /ˈprɒs trə tɪv/, adjective
pros·tra·tor, noun
un·pros·trat·ed, adjective

Words that may be confused with prostrate

1. prone, prostate, prostrate , supine
2. prostate, prostrate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use prostrate in a sentence

Prostrating myself on the examining table, I tried not to flinch as she zapped my scores of clogged pores.
My Odyssey Into Extreme Dermatology | Elizabeth Hayt | April 15, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
Prostrating himself but once, and with scanty ceremony, he stood erect to deliver his tidings in frank bluff tones.
Sarchedon | G. J. (George John) Whyte-Melville
Prostrating myself at his feet, I implored his pardon, and offered my turban-cloth to staunch the heavy spurts of blood.
Autobiography of a YOGI | Paramhansa Yogananda
Prostrating himself on the ground, he asked the spirits name.
A History of Chinese Literature | Herbert A. Giles
Prostrating herself before the altar, she remained long in prayer.
Agnes Strickland's Queens of England, Vol. II. (of III) | Rosalie Kaufman

Prostrating themselves before Juanna and Otter they remained plunged in silence.
The People Of The Mist | H. Rider Haggard

British Dictionary definitions for prostrate

prostrate

adjective(ˈprɒstreɪt)

lying with the face downwards, as in submission
exhausted physically or emotionally

helpless or defenceless
(of a plant) growing closely along the ground

verb(prɒˈstreɪt) (tr)

to bow or cast (oneself) down, as in submission
to lay or throw down flat, as on the ground

to make helpless or defenceless
to make exhausted

Origin of prostrate

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

Derived forms of prostrate

prostration, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for prostrate

prostrate

[ prŏs′trāt′ ]

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

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