/ 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:
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)