Library / English Dictionary

PROSTRATION

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The act of assuming a prostrate position

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("prostration" is a kind of...):

motility; motion; move; movement (a change of position that does not entail a change of location)

Derivation:

prostrate (throw down flat, as on the ground)

prostrate (get into a prostrate position, as in submission)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Abject submission; the emotional equivalent of prostrating your body

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("prostration" is a kind of...):

compliance; submission (the act of submitting; usually surrendering power to another)

Derivation:

prostrate (render helpless or defenseless)

prostrate (get into a prostrate position, as in submission)

Sense 3

Meaning:

An abrupt failure of function or complete physical exhaustion

Example:

the commander's prostration demoralized his men

Synonyms:

collapse; prostration

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("prostration" is a kind of...):

illness; malady; sickness; unwellness (impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "prostration"):

breakdown; crack-up (a mental or physical breakdown)

shock ((pathology) bodily collapse or near collapse caused by inadequate oxygen delivery to the cells; characterized by reduced cardiac output and rapid heartbeat and circulatory insufficiency and pallor)

heat hyperpyrexia; heatstroke (collapse caused by exposure to excessive heat)

algidity (prostration characterized by cold and clammy skin and low blood pressure)

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