• Supine

    Pronunciation

    • IPA: /ˈsjuːpaɪn/, /supiːn/

    Origin

    From Middle English supin, from Latin supinum, supinus. Grammatical meaning is from the phrase supinum verbum.

    Full definition of supine

    Adjective

    supine

    1. Lying on its back, reclined
      • 2011, December 15, Felicity Cloake, How to cook the perfect nut roast, Christmas queen Mary Berry's aubergine five-nut roast, from her Christmas Collection, is, as the name suggests, rather more focused on the nut side of things. Breadcrumbs play second fiddle to a medley of almonds, Brazils, chestnuts, pine nuts and pistachios which, although tangy with lemon juice and garlic, is outrageously dense. A single slice of this could leave you supine in front of the Queen's speech without even the wherewithal to reach for the remote control.
    2. Leaning backward, or inclining with exposure to the sun; sloping; inclined.
      • DrydenIf the vine
        On rising ground be placed, or hills supine.
    3. Negligent; heedless; listless; lethargic; indifferent.
      • WoodwardHe became pusillanimous and supine, and openly exposed to any temptation.
      • 1788, s:Author:Alexander Hamilton, s:The Federalist Papers, If the power of affording it be placed under the direction of the Union, there will be no danger of a supine and listless inattention to the dangers of a neighbor.
    4. Passive
      • 1748, David Hume, Enquiries concerning the human understanding and concerning the principles of moral, London: Oxford University Press: 1973, page 34,Nothing, therefore, can be more contrary than such a philosophy to the supine indolence of the mind.

    Synonyms

    Antonyms

    Derived terms

    Noun

    supine

    (plural supines)
    1. (grammar) A type of verbal noun.

    Anagrams

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