Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Prostrate?

\Pros"trate\, a. [L. prostratus, p. p. of prosternere to prostrate; pro before, forward + sternere to spread out, throw down. See {Stratum}.] 1. Lying at length, or with the body extended on the ground or other surface; stretched out; as, to sleep prostrate. --Elyot. Groveling and prostrate on yon lake of fire. --Milton. 2. Lying at mercy, as a supplicant. --Dryden. 3. Lying in a humble, lowly, or suppliant posture. Prostrate fall Before him reverent, and there confess Humbly our faults. --Milton. 4. (Bot.) Trailing on the ground; procumbent.
\Pros"trate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prostrated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Prostrating}.] 1. To lay fiat; to throw down; to level; to fell; as, to prostrate the body; to prostrate trees or plants. --Evelyn. 2. to overthrow; to demolish; to destroy; to deprive of efficiency; to ruin; as, to prostrate a village; to prostrate a government; to prostrate law or justice. 3. To throw down, or cause to fall in humility or adoration; to cause to bow in humble reverence; used reflexively; as, he prostrated himself. --Milman. 4. To cause to sink totally; to deprive of strength; to reduce; as, a person prostrated by fever.