Prostrate

B2 16+

Pronunciation: /ˈprɑˌstreɪt/

Definitions of prostrate

verb to lay oneself flat on the ground face downward, especially in reverence or submission

Example Sentences

A1 The dog prostrated itself in front of its owner.

A2 She prostrated herself in prayer at the temple.

B1 The soldier prostrated himself before the general as a sign of respect.

B2 The yoga instructor taught the class how to prostrate properly during their practice.

C1 The devotee prostrated before the altar, offering prayers for guidance.

C2 The defeated warrior prostrated himself before his conqueror, acknowledging their superiority.

adjective lying stretched out on the ground with one's face downward

Example Sentences

A1 The injured man lay prostrate on the ground.

A2 She felt prostrate with exhaustion after running the marathon.

B1 The defeated army lay prostrate before their conquerors.

B2 The patient was prostrate with fever and had to be hospitalized.

C1 The CEO was prostrate with grief after the sudden loss of his wife.

C2 The entire nation was prostrate with shock and mourning after the tragic event.

Examples of prostrate in a Sentence

formal The patient was found prostrate on the floor, unable to move.

informal He was lying prostrate on the couch, too tired to get up.

slang I felt so prostrate after that long hike, I could barely walk.

figurative The defeat in the final game left the team prostrate with disappointment.

Grammatical Forms of prostrate

past tense

prostrated

plural

prostrates

comparative

more prostrate

superlative

most prostrate

present tense

prostrates

future tense

will prostrate

perfect tense

has prostrated

continuous tense

is prostrating

singular

prostrate

positive degree

prostrate

infinitive

prostrate

gerund

prostrating

participle

prostrating

Origin and Evolution of prostrate

First Known Use: 0014 year
Language of Origin: Latin
Story behind the word: The word 'prostrate' originated from the Latin word 'prostratus', which is a past participle of 'prosternere' meaning 'to lay flat'.
Evolution of the word: Originally used in English to describe physical submission or defeat, the meaning of 'prostrate' has evolved to also include a sense of being overwhelmed or emotionally defeated.