[prone] adj [ME, fr. L pronus bent forward, tending; akin to L pro forward--more at for] (14c) 1: having a tendency or inclination: being likely "~ to forget names" "accident-prone"
2. a: having the front or ventral surface downward b: lying flat or prostrate -- prone adv -- prone.ly adv -- prone.ness n syn 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". syn see in addition liable