Middle English Dictionary Entry
prō̆strāt(e adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | prō̆strāt(e adj. |
| Etymology | From L prōstrātus, ppl. of prōsternere. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Lying face to the ground as a sign of humility or supplication; also, kneeling; -- also with adverbial force: facedown, prone; (b) overcome and lying prostrate.
Associated quotations
a
- c1390(?c1350) SVrn.Leg.(Vrn)97/259 : Prostrat heo fel þen to grounde And preyed to God.
- a1425 Ordin.Nuns(1) (Lnsd 378)144/3 : Þan he sall say fore colettis oure hir, The nouice ligand prostrate be þe gree, And þe priores and þe couent standand in þer stallis.
- c1425 Found.St.Barth.12/13 : They wente to thys place and ther, prostrate, honoured and worshippid God.
- c1430(a1410) Love Mirror (Brsn e.9)14 : Alle that blessid companye of aungels..fellen doun prostrate to fore the trone of almyȝty god.
- c1430(a1410) Love Mirror (Brsn e.9)118 : Anone than sche fel doun to the grounde prostrate at his feete with grete ynward sorwe and schame for her synnes.
- a1450(c1433) Lydg.St.Edm.(Hrl 2278)430/932 : They lay prostraat, knelyng aboute his shryne.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)4.2683 : The gentil nature of a strong leoun To prostrat peepl of kynde is merciable.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)1719 : Wyth gret trestesse, Oppressede & prostrat, she gan to preye.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)169 : It is leeful and expedient a man knele to God or to a Seint, ȝhe, and ligge prostrate to God or to a Seint bifore an auter.
- a1450 St.Kath.(3) (Richardson 44)18 : Than this noble company of martirs wyth þe feleshype of virgyns þat ladden þis ȝonge queen bytwene hem fyll doun prostrat before þis ryal Emperesse.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)79/225 : With prayers, prostrat, ffor þese gracys I wepe.
- c1475 Gregory's Chron.(Eg 1995)165 : Thenne the kynge went unto the hyghe auter and humely layde hym downe prostrate, hys hedde to the auter warde, longe tyme lyyng stylle.
- a1500 Imit.Chr.(Dub 678)148/11 : Þei leyde her crounes before god & fel doun prostrate before þe lambe & worshipid him into worldes of worldes.
- a1500 Truth it (Cnt Add 68)p.72 : They fel prostrat with reuerence Vpon here knese semly to see.
b
- c1425 Found.St.Barth.8/30 : This synguler ennemy of mankynde..throwythe dowyn men And, them so prostrate, with horrible cleys of malice violently constrayneth.
- c1475(a1449) Lydg.15 O's (LdMisc 683)181 : Thy moder..Swownyng full offte, fil to þe ground prostrat.