How Do You Spell PROSTRATE ONESELF?

Pronunciation: [pɹˈɒstɹe͡ɪt wɒnsˈɛlf] (IPA)

Prostrate oneself is a phrase that means to lie down on one's face in submission or reverence. The IPA transcription of this phrase is /prɒsˈtreɪt wʌnˈsɛlf/. The first syllable "pros" is pronounced with a short "o" sound followed by an "s" and "t" sound. The second syllable "trate" is pronounced with a long "a" sound followed by a "t" and "r" sound. The final syllable "oneself" is pronounced with a short "o" sound, "n" sound followed by a "s" and "elf" sound. The spelling of the word is derived from its Latin roots "pro" meaning forward and "sternere" meaning to stretch out or lay low.

PROSTRATE ONESELF Meaning and Definition

  1. To prostrate oneself refers to the act of lowering one's body down with arms outstretched, lying facing the ground to express deep respect, humility, or complete submission. This gesture commonly involves lying flat on one's stomach, with one's face and hands touching the ground. It is often seen as a physical and symbolic manifestation of worship, reverence, or extreme veneration towards a deity, superior authority, or an object of profound admiration.

    The act of prostrating oneself embodies the notion of complete surrender or devotion to a higher power, acknowledging one's inferiority or dependence. It can be observed in various religious practices, such as in Islam during prayer as an act of submission to Allah, or in Buddhism and Hinduism as a form of respect to deities, gurus, or holy sites. Additionally, prostrating oneself can also be an expression of intense gratitude, supplication, or repentance, as an individual humbly places themselves in a position of vulnerability and submission.

    While primarily associated with religious contexts, the act of prostrating oneself can also be metaphorically extended to denote a display of extreme subservience, helplessness, or defeat in non-religious situations. For instance, someone may figuratively prostrate themselves before an authority figure by begging for forgiveness or pleading for mercy. In these cases, the act of prostration serves as a powerful gesture that conveys utmost sincerity, contrition, or reverence in various interpersonal or social settings.

Common Misspellings for PROSTRATE ONESELF

  • orostrate oneself
  • lrostrate oneself
  • -rostrate oneself
  • 0rostrate oneself
  • peostrate oneself
  • pdostrate oneself
  • pfostrate oneself
  • ptostrate oneself
  • p5ostrate oneself
  • p4ostrate oneself
  • pristrate oneself
  • prkstrate oneself
  • prlstrate oneself
  • prpstrate oneself
  • pr0strate oneself
  • pr9strate oneself
  • proatrate oneself
  • proztrate oneself
  • proxtrate oneself
  • prodtrate oneself

Etymology of PROSTRATE ONESELF

The word "prostrate" comes from the Latin word "prosternere", which is a combination of "pro", meaning "forward" or "down", and "sternere", meaning "to spread out" or "to lay down". In ancient Rome, the verb "prosternere" referred to the act of throwing oneself face-down on the ground, often in a position of submission, reverence, or supplication. Over time, this Latin term evolved into the English word "prostrate", which retains its original sense of physically laying oneself flat on the ground, typically in a position of humility or worship.

Idioms with the word PROSTRATE ONESELF

  • prostrate oneself before The idiom "prostrate oneself before" means to show deep respect, submission, or worship by lying face down on the ground, usually as a gesture of reverence or humility towards someone or something.
  • prostrate oneself before sm or sth The idiom "prostrate oneself before someone or something" means to show extreme humility, reverence, or submission in front of them or it. It implies fully surrendering oneself to another person or entity, often as a sign of respect, worship, or obedience. It can also indicate an act of complete supplication or submission to a higher power or authority.

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