Pros"trate (?), a. [L. prostratus, p. p. of prosternere to prostrate; pro before, forward + sternere to spread out, throw down. See Stratum.]
1.
Lying at length, or with the body extended on the ground or other surface; stretched out; as, to sleep prostrate
Elyot.
Groveling and prostrate on yon lake of fire.
Milton.
2.
Lying at mercy, as a supplicant.
Dryden.
3.
Lying in a humble, lowly, or suppliant posture.
Prostrate fall
Before him reverent, and there confess
Humbly our faults.
Milton.
4. Bot.
Trailing on the ground; procumbent.
© Webster 1913.
Pros"trate (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Prostrated (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Prostrating.]
1.
To lay flat; to throw down; to level; to fell; as, to prostrate the body; to prostrate trees or plants.
Evelyn.
2.
to overthrow; to demolish; to destroy; to deprive of efficiency; to ruin; as, to prostrate a village; to prostrate a government; to prostrate law or justice.
3.
To throw down, or cause to fall in humility or adoration; to cause to bow in humble reverence; used reflexively; as, he prostrated himself.
Milman.
4.
To cause to sink totally; to deprive of strength; to reduce; as, a person prostrated by fever.
© Webster 1913.