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prosterner

to prostrate oneself

verb pros-tehr-NEH Rare
Arts & Culture Religion

Origin: Latin prosternere (to throw down)

Usage Note

Se prosterner (always reflexive in its main sense) means to bow deeply or prostrate oneself as a sign of reverence or submission. It appears in religious contexts — se prosterner devant Dieu — and in figurative use where excessive deference is implied, often with a mocking tone. The non-reflexive prosterner is rare.

Examples

"Les pèlerins se prosternent devant l'autel."

Natural Translation

The pilgrims prostrate themselves before the altar.

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