adjective
supine
soo-PYNE
Supine (adjective) means lying flat on the back with the face turned upward. Example: “The patient was supine on the table with both arms at his sides.”
adjective
1
Lying flat on the back with the face turned upward.
"The patient was supine on the table with both arms at his sides."
"Begin the exercise in a supine position with your knees bent."
2
Failing to act or resist when action is called for; passively accepting whatever happens.
"Critics accused the committee of being supine in the face of obvious corruption."
"A supine press asks no difficult questions."
noun
1
technical In Latin grammar, a verbal noun formed from the past participle stem, used in a small number of fixed constructions.
"The dictionary lists the Latin verb's four principal parts, including the supine."
"Students learn the supine mainly to form the future participle."
How to use supine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLying on your back — or, of a person, too weak to stand up for anything.
When to use it
The physical sense is clinical and neutral; the figurative sense is formal and disparaging.
Common pairings
supine position
lie supine
supine acceptance
supine and prone
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The patient was _____ on the table with both arms at his sides.
Etymology
From Latin supinus, 'lying on the back, bent backwards', related to sub 'under'.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for supine
See all rhymes for supine →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between supine and prone?
Supine means face up, lying on your back; prone means face down, lying on your front. A quick memory aid is that you hold soup in a bowl on your front, so supine is the position where you could balance it.
Can supine describe a person's character?
Yes. Calling someone supine says they are feebly passive and put up no resistance. It is a strong criticism and is normally reserved for writing about politics, institutions or the press.
What is the meaning of supine?
"supine" (adjective) means lying flat on the back with the face turned upward.
What is another word for supine?
Other words for "supine" include resupine, passive, spineless, acquiescent, inert, unresisting.
