- Today's Word
Supine
soo-PINE
Definition
- (adjective) Lying on one’s back, face upward.
- Failing to act or show resistance due to weakness or indifference.
Example
He lay supine on the grass, gazing at the stars and pondering the mysteries of the universe.
Fun Fact
“Supine” comes from the Latin word supinus, meaning “bent backward” or “reclining.” Its dual meaning reflects both physical posture and metaphorical inaction. In ancient Rome, the word often symbolized passivity, which later inspired its use in critiques of apathy or submissiveness. The distinction between “prone” (face down) and “supine” (face up) remains a common linguistic challenge today.
(adjective) Still in existence; surviving from the past.
Despite centuries of conflict, several extant manuscripts from the era are still preserved in the library’s archives.
From Latin exstare, meaning “to stand out” or “to exist.”