Prostration

Quick meaning: Prostration is a noun meaning The act or condition of prostrating oneself (lying face-down), as a sign of humility.

Meaning

The act or condition of prostrating oneself (lying face-down), as a sign of humility.

More Meanings

1. The state of lying face down (prone).
2. The condition of being prostrated, as from heat; complete loss of strength.
3. A reverential bow performed in Middle Eastern cultures.
4. A part of the ordination of Catholic and Orthodox priests, in which the ordinand lies prostrate in a gesture of submission to the will of God.

Example Sentences

I slept after the prostration of the day, with a stringent and profound slumber which not even the nightmares that wrung me could avail to break.

Their faith can be seen in their mannerisms on the pitch – cupping hands in silent pre-kick-off prayer or prostration after hitting the back of the net.

The ordination ceremony includes a variety of rituals, rich in meaning and history, e.g., the prostration, laying on of hands, anointing of hands, giving of the chalice and paten, and sign of peace. — Diocese of Rochester, NY

Word Forms

• prostrations

Synonyms for prostration

Depending on context, synonyms include sujud.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include humiliation, self-abasement, supplication, reverence, kneeling, genuflection.

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