Supine
/ˈsuː.paɪn/noun
Lying on the back or with the face upward.
Did you know?In ancient Rome, the position of lying supine was often associated with vulnerability, used in rituals where one sought favor from the gods.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sup-
“to lie down, to be over, above”
Latin
Latin
supinus
“lying on the back, turned over”
Old French
Old French
supin
“lying on the back, passive”
Middle English
Middle English
supine
“lying down, especially on the back; passive or inactive”
Modern English
English
supine
“referring to the physical position or metaphorically to a state of inactivity or passivity.”