PROSTRATE Definition & Meaning

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prostrate

[ pros-treyt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

prostrated, prostrating.

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.
Synonyms: , ,
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.

prostrate

adjective

lying with the face downwards, as in submission
exhausted physically or emotionally
helpless or defenceless
(of a plant) growing closely along the ground

verb

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

prostrate

/ ��ŏ��′�ٰ��′ /

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

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Derived Forms

��ǲ�ˈ�ٰ��پ��ǲ�, noun

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Other �y��vlog Forms

��ǲ�·�ٰ��·�پ�� [pros, -tr, uh, -tiv], adjective
��ǲ�t��·�ٴǰ� noun
�ܲ�·��ǲ�t��·�� adjective

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of prostrate¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; (for the adjective) Middle English prostrat, from Latin ��ō��ٰ��ٳܲ� “lying flat,” past participle of ��ō��ٱ��Ա�� “to lie flat, knock down, overthrow,” from ��ō- pro- ¹ + sternere “to lay out, stretch, spread”; verb derivative of the adjective

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of prostrate¹

C14: from Latin ��ō��ٱ��Ա�� to throw to the ground, from ��ō- before + sternere to lay low

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

There are doormats that aren’t as walked over as our prostrated governor.

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A young man lying prostrate on the ground is kicked in the head several times as a young woman pleads with them to stop.

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Videos shared on social media on Tuesday showed groups of Jewish Israelis singing the Israeli national anthem, some carrying the Israeli flag while others prostrate themselves in prayer at the edge of the holy site.

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George’s ambitious underlings strive for his intermittent approval and prostrate themselves, enduring petty humiliations only to crawl back and beg for more.

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Department of Health and Human Services now requires consent for breast, pelvic, prostrate and rectal exams for “educational and training purposes” performed by medical students, nurse practitioners or physician assistants.

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