Supine
Pronunciation
- IPA: /ˈsjuËpaɪn/, /supiËn/
Origin
From Middle English supin, from Latin supinum, supinus. Grammatical meaning is from the phrase supinum verbum.
Full definition of supine
Adjective
supine
- 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.
- Leaning backward, or inclining with exposure to the sun; sloping; inclined.
- DrydenIf the vine
On rising ground be placed, or hills supine. - 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.
- 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.