adj. & v.
--adj.
1. a lying face downwards, esp. in submission. b lying horizontally.
2 overcome, esp. by grief, exhaustion, etc. (prostrate with self-pity).
3 Bot. growing along the ground.
--v.tr.
1. lay (a person etc.) flat on the ground.
2 (refl.) throw (oneself) down in submission etc.
3 (of fatigue, illness, etc.) overcome; reduce to extreme physical weakness.
Derivatives:
prostration n.
Etymology: ME f. L prostratus past part. of prosternere (as PRO-(1), sternere strat- lay flat)