supine
Back against ground
Supine means lying face up, the opposite of prone.
The word extends to passivity or inaction, especially when action is called for: The board remained supine while the CEO looted the company.
A supine response suggests spinelessness or unwillingness to resist.
In grammar, supine names a Latin verbal noun form rarely discussed outside classical studies.
Visible side up
- horizontalParallel to the horizon
- lyingStating known falsehoods
- flatLacking vertical variation
- recumbentLying down, resting horizontally
dorsal · prostrate · stretched · sprawled · splayed · outstretched · spread-eagle · relaxed
Not currently functioning
- lethargicLacking energy or alertness
- indolentHabitually avoiding exertion
- inertInactive, physically or chemically
- apatheticWithout feeling or concern
submissive · yielding · compliant · acquiescent · unresisting · docile · meek · deferential
Ancient Roman language
- declensionNoun form variation
- conjugationVerb form variation system
- inflectionWord form alteration
- infinitiveUnconjugated verb form
faceup
Visible side up
- horizontalParallel to the horizon
- lyingStating known falsehoods
- flatLacking vertical variation
recumbent · dorsal · prostrate · stretched · sprawled · splayed · outstretched · spread-eagle · relaxed · resting
inactive
Not currently functioning
- lethargicLacking energy or alertness
- indolentHabitually avoiding exertion
- inertInactive, physically or chemically
apathetic · submissive · yielding · compliant · acquiescent · unresisting · docile · meek · deferential · resigned
Latin
Ancient Roman language
- declensionNoun form variation
- conjugationVerb form variation system
- inflectionWord form alteration
infinitive · morphology · suffix · participle
- body positionslying down, flat, upright, standing, sitting
- resting positionslie down, lie flat, recline, repose, corpse pose
- anatomy termsanterior, posterior, dorsal, ventral, medial
- LatinLatin, Latin vocabulary, Latin roots, Latin alphabet, Latin phrases
- Posturesupright, slouch, slump, erect, crouched
- reclining positionslying down, lounging, sprawling, horizontal, stretching out