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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Prostrate


PROS'TRATE, adjective [Latin prostratus, from prosterno, to lay flat; pro and sterno.]

1. Lying at length, or with the body extended on the ground or other surface.

Groveling and prostrate on yon lake of fire.

2. Lying at mercy, as a supplicant.

3. Lying in the posture of humility of adoration.

PROS'TRATE, verb transitive To lay flat; to throw down; as, to prostrate the body; to prostrate trees or plants.

1. To throw down; to overthrow; to demolish; to ruin; as, to prostrate a village; to prostrate a government; to prostrate law or justice; to prostrate the honor of a nation.

2. To prostrate one's self, to throw one's self down or to fall in humility or adoration.

3. To bow in humble reverence.

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