supine

/ˈsuːpaɪn/ (bre, ipa) · [sˈupaɪn] /ˈsuːpaɪn/ (ame, ipa) · [səpˈaɪn] /su̇-ˈpīn attrib also ˈsü-ˌpīn/ (ame, mw)

supine — adjective

  • supinepositive
  • more supinecomparative
  • most supinesuperlative

1. describing a body position where someone rests stretched out on their back with

1.形容詞C2
釋義

describing a body position where someone rests stretched out on their back with the chest and face pointed toward the ceiling

例句

The yoga teacher asked Folake to lie supine on the mat and breathe slowly.

predicative: lie supine in physical-practice context

After the surgery, Nikhil had to remain in a supine position for several hours.

collocation: in a supine position (medical recovery)

同義詞
  • recumbent

    formal; means lying down in any position, not specifically face up

  • prostrate

    lying face down or fully extended; opposite orientation

反義詞
  • prone

    lying face down, the opposite body orientation

  • upright

    vertical posture, sitting or standing

文法句型

lie supine

in a supine position

用法筆記

Frequently appears in medical, anatomical, and fitness contexts. Contrasts with 'prone' (face down). Often follows verbs like 'lie', 'remain', or 'place'.

常見錯誤

❌Walid slept supine on his stomach.
✅Walid slept supine, looking up at the ceiling.
💡'supine' means face up; 'prone' means face down.
❌The patient was supine the chair.
✅The patient was supine on the examination table.
💡'supine' describes lying down, not sitting.

2. showing a feeble, submissive attitude — failing to push back against unfair trea

2.形容詞C2
釋義

showing a feeble, submissive attitude — failing to push back against unfair treatment, bad leadership, or wrongdoing because the person lacks energy, courage, or moral conviction

例句

Critics blamed the supine parliament for letting the prime minister bypass every checks-and-balance rule.

attributive: supine [institution] failing oversight role

Owen accused the union leaders of being supine in the face of unfair pay cuts.

predicative: be supine in the face of [injustice]

同義詞
  • passive

    neutral; lacking active response; less critical in tone

  • spineless

    informal and harsher; emphasises cowardice

  • compliant

    willingly going along with rules; less morally loaded

反義詞
  • defiant

    openly resisting authority or wrongdoing

  • assertive

    confidently standing up for one's position

文法句型

supine acceptance

supine response

remain supine

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (physical position): this sense always describes a person, institution, or response, and carries strong disapproval. Subject is usually a body that should resist (parliament, press, regulator, union) but does not.

常見錯誤

❌Anjali was supine because she was tired.
✅Anjali was supine in the face of repeated insults from her boss.
💡this sense criticises weak moral stance, not physical tiredness.
❌The cat lay supine on the carpet, refusing to chase the mouse.
✅The committee's supine acceptance of the report shocked everyone.
💡sense 2 applies to people and institutions, not animals at rest.