Your ShelfYour Projects
Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Prostrate

Prŏs'trate, a.

adjective

a. [Lat. prostratus, p. p. of prosternere. See infra.]

  1. Lying at length, or with the body extended on the ground or other surface; stretched out. “Groveling and prostrate on yon lake of fire.” Milton.
  2. Lying at mercy, as a supplicant; especially, occupying a humble, lowly, or suppliant position.

Prostrate fall Before him, reverent, and there confess Humbly our fault. Milton. 3. (Bot.) Trailing on the ground; procumbent.

Prŏs'trāte, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [imp. & p. p. PROSTRATED; p. pr. & vb. n. PROSTRATING.] [Lat. prosternere, prostratum, from pro, before, forward, and sternere, to spread or stretch out, to throw down; It. prostrare, Pr., O. Sp., & Pg. prostrar, N. Sp. postrar, Fr. prosterner.]

Sense 1. To lay flat; to throw down; as, to prostrate the body; to prostrate trees or plants.

Sense 2. To overthrow; to demolish; to destroy; to ruin; as, to prostrate a village; to prostrate a government; to prostrate law or justice.

Sense 3. To throw down, or cause to fall in humility or adoration; to make to bow in humble reverence;—used reflexively. Duppa.

Sense 4. To cause to sink totally; to reduce; as, to prostrate strength.