I. ˈpräˌstrāt sometimes -ästrə̇t, usu -d.+V adjective
Etymology: Middle English prostrat, from Latin prostratus, past participle of prosternere to prostrate, from pro before + sternere to spread out, throw down — more at strew
1.
a. : stretched out with face on the ground in adoration or submission
smite the tax-gatherer, but fall prostrate at the feet of the contemptible prince for whom the tax-gatherer plies his trade — H.T.Buckle
b. : lying prone or supine : extended in a horizontal position : flat
quickly stooping I once more drove my weapon to the hilt in his prostrate form — W.H.Hudson †1922
c. : knocked down : overthrown
clambered over half-visible rocks, fell over prostrate trees — Willa Cather
2. : lacking in vitality or will : powerless to rise : laid low : overcome
prostrate with fear
a whole continent prostrate and impoverished — Andrew Shonfield
3. : trailing on the ground : procumbent
a subalpine species, usually shrubby or prostrate in habit — William Dallimore & A.B.Jackson
Synonyms: see prone
II. ˈpräˌstrāt, usu -ād.+V transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English prostraten to prostrate oneself, from Latin prostratus, past participle of prosternere to prostrate
1. : to throw into a prostrate position : knock down : lay flat
prostrated his opponent with one blow
2.
a. : to extend (oneself) in a prostrate position
half prostrated himself in something between an obeisance and an embrace — Claud Cockburn
b. : to put (oneself) in a humble and submissive posture or state
the whole town had to prostrate itself in official apology — Claudia Cassidy
3.
a. : to reduce to submission or helplessness : render powerless : lay low
the financial panic that had prostrated the East with the suddenness of a natural catastrophe — American Guide Series: Michigan
b. : to subject to an emotional shock : overcome
prostrated with grief
prostrated by the loss of his wife — C.S.Lewis
c. : to put into a state of extreme bodily exhaustion : debilitate , weaken
prostrated by an attack of bilious fever — E.S.Bates