prostration
prostration Lexical Profile
prostration Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The action of lying stretched out on the ground with one's face downward, especially in reverence, worship, or submission.
"The pilgrims performed full prostrations before the altar of the ancient temple."
A state of extreme physical weakness, exhaustion, or emotional helplessness.
"After working outdoors all afternoon in the sweltering sun, he suffered from heat prostration."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse 'prostration' (the act of lying flat or a state of extreme exhaustion) with 'prostitution' or 'prostate' (the anatomical gland).
• Rhymes for prostration
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French 'prostracion' and Late Latin 'prostrationem', derived from the Latin verb 'prosternere' ('to strew in front of' or 'throw down'), combining 'pro-' ('forth') and 'sternere' ('to spread out').