The word "prostrates" is spelled with ten letters and pronounced /prɒˈstreɪts/. The first syllable is stressed and contains the short "o" sound. The second syllable has the long "a" sound and the final syllable has the short "i" sound. The letter "s" is repeated twice in the word, with the first "s" pronounced as a voiceless fricative /s/ and the second "s" pronounced as a voiced fricative /z/. "Prostrates" is the present tense third-person singular form of the verb "prostrate," which means to lay flat on the ground in humility or submission.
The term "prostrates" is a verb that has multiple definitions depending on the context in which it is used. Primarily, "prostrates" refers to the action of lying flat on the ground face-down, typically as a sign of submission, reverence, or physical exhaustion. It involves the act of fully extending one's body horizontally and bringing it into direct contact with the floor or surface beneath.
In a religious or spiritual context, "prostrating" oneself may denote an act of complete surrender or devotion to a higher power, often observed in various religious traditions during worship or prayer. It signifies humility, worship, and the acknowledgment of one's inferiority or dependence.
Alternatively, "prostrates" can also describe a physical condition where one feels utterly weak, exhausted, or overpowered. This usage emphasizes the lack of energy or power, often due to immense physical or mental strain. This definition can be seen in phrases such as "prostrated with fatigue" or "emotionally prostrated."
Overall, "prostrates" implies an extreme physical or emotional state, whether driven by reverence, exhaustion, or powerlessness. The word carries strong connotations of surrender, submission, or vulnerability, emphasizing the complete relaxation and exposure of one's body to the ground or the force that overwhelms them.
The word "prostrates" has its origins in the Latin word "prosternere", a compound of "pro", meaning "forward" or "down", and "sternere", meaning "to spread out" or "to lay flat". In Latin, "prosternere" referred to the act of throwing oneself down in a prone or submissive position as a sign of reverence or worship. Over time, the word evolved into "prostrate" in English, retaining the meaning of laying flat, especially in a submissive or humble manner.