prostrate

/ˈprä-ˌstrāt/

Middle English prostrat, from Anglo-French, from Latin prostratus, past participle of prosternere, from pro- before + sternere to spread out, throw down

adjective

  1. stretched out with face on the ground in adoration or submission; also : lying, flat

  2. completely overcome and lacking vitality, will, or power to rise

  3. trailing on the ground : procumbent

prone supine prostrate recumbent mean lying down. prone implies a position with the front of the body turned toward the supporting surface. supine implies lying on one's back and suggests inertness or abjectness.

verb

  1. to throw or put into a prostrate position

  2. to put (oneself) in a humble and submissive posture or state

  3. to reduce to submission, helplessness, or exhaustion

idiom

  1. to lie down with one's face turned toward the ground

The worshippers prostrated themselves before the shrine.