prostrate

 

adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈprɒstreɪt/
  • 1lying stretched out on the ground with one’s face downwards: there was a man praying before an idol, lying prostrate they surged forward around the prostrate figure on the ground
  • [predic.] completely overcome or helpless, especially with distress or exhaustion: his wife was prostrate with shock
  • 2 Botany growing along the ground: mats of prostrate herbs can be used to break up expanses of soil

verb

Pronunciation: /prɒˈstreɪt/
[with object]
  • 1 (prostrate oneself) throw oneself flat on the ground so as to be lying face downwards, especially in reverence or submission: she prostrated herself on the bare floor of the church
  • 2reduce (someone) to extreme physical weakness: she was so prostrated by migraine that she could scarcely totter up the stairs to bed

Origin:

Middle English: from Latin prostratus 'thrown down', past participle of prosternere, from pro- 'before' + sternere 'lay flat'