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Created page with 'File:lighterstill.jpgright|frame ==Etymology== [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Mid...'
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==Etymology==
[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] prostrat, from Anglo-French, from [[Latin]] prostratus, past participle of prosternere, from pro- before + sternere to spread out, throw down
*Date: [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_Century 14th century]
==Definitions==
*1 : stretched out with [[face]] on the ground in [[adoration]] or submission; also : lying flat
*2 : completely overcome and lacking [[vitality]], [[will]], or [[power]] to rise <was prostrate from the [[heat]]>
*3 : trailing on the ground : procumbent <prostrate shrubs>
==Description==
'''Prostration''' is the placement of the [[body]] in a [[reverent]]ially or submissively prone position. Major world [[religions]] employ prostration either as an [[act]] of submissiveness to [[God ]] or gods, or as a means of embodying [[reverence]] for a [[noble]] [[person]], persons or [[doctrine]]. Within various [[cultures]] and [[traditions]], prostrations are similarly used to show [[respect]] to [[civil]] [[authorities]] and more accomplished masters. The [[act]] is thus often an important part of [[religious]], [[civil]] and [[traditional]] [[rituals]] and ceremonies.

Many [[religious]] [[institutions]] use prostrations to embody the lowering, submitting or relinquishing of the [[individual]] [[ego]] before a greater [[spiritual]] [[power]] or [[presence]].

[[Category: Religion]]

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