prostrate
prostrate Lexical Profile
prostrate Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Lying stretched out on the ground with one's face downward, especially in reverence, submission, or physical collapse.
"The exhausted marathon runner lay prostrate on the track just past the finish line."
Completely overcome and rendered helpless or incapacitated, especially by grief, illness, or exhaustion.
"She was left prostrate with grief after receiving the devastating news about her family."
(Of a plant or stem) growing flat along the ground rather than upright.
"Creeping thyme is a hardy prostrate shrub that forms a dense, fragrant mat between stepping stones."
• verb
To throw oneself flat on the ground so as to be lying face downward, especially in reverence, worship, or submission.
"The pilgrims prostrated themselves before the ancient altar in silent devotion."
To reduce someone to extreme physical weakness, exhaustion, or emotional helplessness.
"A severe bout of tropical fever prostrated the explorer for nearly two weeks."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse "prostrate" (lying stretched out on the ground, or to throw oneself down) with "prostate" (a walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system). Additionally, the adjective is pronounced with stress on the first syllable (PROS-trayt), whereas the verb often takes stress on the second syllable in British English (pruh-STRAYT).
• Rhymes for prostrate
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Latin prostratus, the past participle of prosternere ('to strew in front of' or 'to throw down'), formed from pro- ('forward') and sternere ('to spread out' or 'lay flat').