prostration
(prɒˈstreɪʃən)
[a. F. prostration (14th c. in Hatz.-Darm.) or ad. late L. prōstrātiōn-em, n. of action f. prōstern-ĕre: see prostern.]
1. The action of prostrating oneself or one's body, esp. as a sign of humility, adoration, or servility; the condition of being prostrated, or lying prostrate.
| 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 237 b, And there with genufleccyons or knelynges, inclynacyons, prostracyons, or other reuerence, to aske y⊇ mercy of god. 1622 [see prosternation]. c 1645 Howell Lett. IV. xxxvi. (1655) 86 The comely prostrations of the body..in time of Divine Service, is very exemplary. 1672 Cave Prim. Chr. iii. v. (1673) 369 After his usual Prostrations in the Church as if unworthy either to stand or kneel. 1758 J. S. Le Dran's Observ. Surg. (1771) 183 No Prostrations could reduce the Herniæ. 1823 Gillies tr. Aristotle's Rhet. I. 178 Among barbarians honour is denoted by humble prostrations of the body. 1879 H. Spencer Princ. Sociol. §384 Though the loss of power to resist which prostration on the face implies, does not reach the utter defencelessness implied by prostration on the back, yet it is great enough to make it a sign of profound homage. 1883 ‘Ouida’ Wanda I. 5 The villagers..came timidly around and made their humble prostrations. |
2. fig. The mental attitude which is implied in prostrating the body; veneration; abject submission, adulation; humiliation, abasement.
| 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. i. vii. 25 Nor is only a resolved prostration unto Antiquity a powerfull enemy unto knowledge, but also a confident adherence unto any Authority. 1755 Young Centaur iv. Wks. 1757 IV. 199 For that bountiful grant, what adoration is due? With prostration profound I cannot but adore. 1823 Roscoe Sismondi's Lit. Eur (1846) II. xxxii. 341 The prostration of the intellect. 1849 Tweedie Life J. Macdonald iii. 255 To read the record of his profound prostration and abasement is at once humbling and joyous. |
3. fig. Debasement of any exalted principle or faculty.
| 1647 [see prostitution 2]. |
4. Extreme physical weakness or exhaustion; also extreme mental depression or dejection.
| 1651 Baxter Inf. Bapt., Apol. 14, I can hardly..speak above an hour without the prostration of my strength. 1732 Arbuthnot Rules of Diet (1736) 358 There is a sudden Prostration of the Strength or Weakness attending this Colick. 1803 Med. Jrnl. X. 109 Distinguished..by the unusual prostration of strength. 1828 Webster, Prostration..3. Great depression; dejection: as, a prostration of spirits. 1865 Dickens Mut. Fr. iii. x, Exhibiting great wretchedness in the shivering stage of prostration from drink. 1887 Spectator 15 Oct. 1377 An appreciable number of the guilty died of nervous prostration. |
5. The reduction of a country, party, or organization to a prostrate or powerless condition.
| 1844 Thirlwall Greece VIII. lxvi. 472 The prostration of Greece under the Turkish yoke. 1844 H. H. Wilson Brit. India III. 224 The result of the war was the complete prostration of Persia before the power of Russia. 1851 Gallenga Italy 295 The exaggerated notions of the utter prostration and dissolution of the empire then prevalent. |