prone — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Lying face-down.

   Synonyms

   prostratepronatednevelingnuel

   Antonyms

   supine

   Examples

   prone position

   More examples (1)

   But they had already discovered that he could be bullied, and they had it their own way; and presently Selwyn lay prone upon the nursery floor, impersonating a ladrone while pleasant shivers chased themselves over Drina, whom he was stalking.

2. Of the hand, forearm or foot: turned facing away from the body; with the thumb inward or big toe downward.

   Synonyms

   pronated

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   The hand is in the prone position typically when using a keyboard; and the forearm is then also in the prone position; when the foot is resting on the inner side of the sole, it is in the prone position.

3. Having a downward inclination or slope.

4. Shooting from a position while lying down.

5. Predisposed, liable, inclined, given (to something) (most often, specifically to being befallen by an unsought bad outcome, rather than to undertaking a willful behavior or to having a happy accident).

   Usage

   • Figurative

   Examples

   prone to failure

   More examples (1)

   Nor are mine ears with thy tongue's tune delighted; / Nor tender feeling, to base touches prone, / Nor taste, nor smell, desire to be invited / To any sensual feast with thee alone: […]

Verb

1. To place in a prone position, to place face down.

Adjective

1. having a tendency (to); often used in combination

   Examples

   a child prone to mischief

   failure-prone

2. lying face downward

   Synonyms

   prostrate