adj.
Pronunciation: ' pr ō n
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin pronus bent forward, tending; akin to Latin pro forward ― more at FOR
Date: 14th century
1 : having a tendency or inclination : being likely < prone to forget names> <accident- prone >
2 a : having the front or ventral surface downward b : lying flat or prostrate
– prone adverb
– prone · ly adverb
– prone · ness \ ' pr ō n-n ə s \ noun
synonyms PRONE , SUPINE , PROSTRATE , RECUMBENT mean lying down. PRONE implies a position with the front of the body turned toward the supporting surface <push-ups require a prone position>. SUPINE implies lying on one's back and suggests inertness or abjectness <lying supine on the couch>. PROSTRATE implies lying full-length as in submission, defeat, or physical collapse <a runner fell prostrate at the finish line>. RECUMBENT implies the posture of one sleeping or resting <a patient comfortably recumbent in a hospital bed>. synonym see in addition LIABLE