Definition

The act of lying flat on the ground, often as a sign of submission or exhaustion, or the state of being extremely weak or tired.

Example

After the long hike, I fell into a state of prostration and couldn't move for a while.

Conversation

I felt such a sense of prostration after that long hike yesterday.

Wow, I can imagine! Those trails can be really tough.

Yeah, I didn't expect to feel that much fatigue.

It's normal; sometimes your body just needs to rest and recover.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Prostration is formed from "pro-" (meaning forward) and "sternere" (meaning to spread out or lay down). The word describes the act of lying flat or spreading oneself out, often in a gesture of submission or exhaustion.

Memory Tip

Think of 'laying down' ('sternere') 'forward' ('pro-') — this helps you remember that prostration means to lie flat, often in submission.

Visually Confused Words