Prostrate  —adj. 1 a lying face downwards, esp. In submission. B lying horizontally. 2 overcome, esp. By grief, exhaustion, etc. 3 growing along the ground. —v. (-ting) 1 lay or throw (esp. A person) flat. 2 refl. Throw (oneself) down in submission etc. 3 overcome; make weak.  prostration n. [latin prosterno -strat- throw in front]