prostrate

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Lying flat on the ground, usually face down.

   The worshippers lay prostrate before the altar.

2. 2
   verb

   To throw yourself flat on the ground, often to show respect or submission.

   The pilgrims prostrated themselves before the shrine.

3. 3
   adj

   Completely overcome by illness, heat, or grief.

   She was prostrate with grief after hearing the news.

From Middle English prostraten (“(reflexive) to prostrate; (with doun) to fall down in a state of humility or submission”), from prostrat(e) (“prostrate, prostrated”, also used as the past participle of prostraten) + -en (verb-forming suffix), from Latin prōstrātus, see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and Etymology 1 for more.

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