prostration

n. [ L. prostratio: cf. F. prostration. ] 1. The act of prostrating, throwing down, or laying fiat; as, the prostration of the body. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The act of falling down, or of bowing in humility or adoration; primarily, the act of falling on the face, but usually applied to kneeling or bowing in reverence and worship. [ 1913 Webster ]

A greater prostration of reason than of body. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The condition of being prostrate; great depression; lowness; dejection; as, a postration of spirits. “A sudden prostration of strength.” Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Med.) A latent, not an exhausted, state of the vital energies; great oppression of natural strength and vigor. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Prostration, in its medical use, is analogous to the state of a spring lying under such a weight that it is incapable of action; while exhaustion is analogous to the state of a spring deprived of its elastic powers. The word, however, is often used to denote any great depression of the vital powers. [ 1913 Webster ]