prostration
pronunciation
How to pronounce prostration in British English:
UK [prɒˈstreɪʃn]
How to pronounce prostration in American English:
US [prɑˈstreɪʃn]
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- Noun:
- a condition marked by dizziness and nausea and weakness caused by depletion of body fluids and electrolytes
- abject submission; the emotional equivalent of prostrating your body
- the act of assuming a prostrate position
Word Origin
- prostration (n.)
- c. 1400, "action of prostrating oneself," from Old French prostracion (14c.) or directly from Late Latin prostrationem (nominative prostratio), noun of action from past participle stem of prosternere (see prostrate (v.)); or else a native formation from prostrate (v.). Meaning "weakness, exhaustion, dejection" is from 1650s.
Example
- 1. Two of the runners collapsed in a state of prostration .
- 2. Ceremonial prostration is part of muslim prayer .
- 3. I was willing to adopt this attitude of abject prostration .
- 4. Helen said he was breaking his heart , and was sad to see his prostration .
- 5. We may even make a prostration each time , touching the ground with our forehead .