prostration

American  

[pro-strey-shuhn] / prɒˈstreɪ ʃən /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of prostration

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

Explanation

If you throw yourself at your mom's feet and beg forgiveness for breaking curfew, that's prostration. Many religious rituals include various forms of prostration, or lying face-downward in a submissive way. When a Catholic kneels to pray in church, or a Muslim bows his head to touch the ground during prayers, it's an act of prostration, or making yourself humble before a god or religious figure. In Hinduism, touching the feet of a guru (or teacher) is a sign of respect, and also a form of prostration. The source of this noun is the adjective prostrate, literally "lying face-down," from the Latin prosternere, "throw down."

Example Sentences

Prostration following severe shock was what the doctor called it, but it looked to me more like a touch of brain fever.

From The Tidal Wave and Other Stories by Dell, Ethel M. (Ethel May)

In severe forms of the disease the "Rest Cure" and feeding described under Nervous Prostration should be used.

From Mother's Remedies Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remedies from Mothers of the United States and Canada by Ritter, Thomas Jefferson

Prostration occurs much earlier and is usually much more marked in the latter.

From A System of Practical Medicine by American Authors, Vol. I Volume 1: Pathology and General Diseases by Various

XXX Here is suggested the ninth stage: Prostration.

From Translations of Shakuntala and Other Works by Kalidasa

Prostration, the etiquette of the Court of Marocco.

From An Account of Timbuctoo and Housa Territories in the Interior of Africa by Jackson, James Grey