- 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) Full of knots; or, figuratively, extremely difficult and complex, with no straightforward solution.
The lawyers spent weeks untangling the knotty language buried deep in the old property deed.