\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.

\Pros"trate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Prostrated}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Prostrating}.]
1. To lay fiat; 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.