Definition of supine

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< supinator

supper >

su·pine    (s-pn, spn) KEY 

ADJECTIVE:

1. Lying on the back or having the face upward.
2. Having the palm upward. Used of the hand.
3. Marked by or showing lethargy, passivity, or blameworthy indifference. See Synonyms at inactive.
4. Inclined; sloping.

NOUN:
Grammar

A defective Latin verbal noun of the fourth declension, having very limited syntax and only two cases, an accusative in -tum or -sum and an ablative in -t or -s. The accusative form is sometimes considered to be the fourth principal part of the Latin verb.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English supin, Latin verbal noun, from Late Latin supnum (verbum), (verb) lying on its back, (verb) going back, neuter of Latin supnus; see upo in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
su·pinely(Adverb), su·pineness(Noun)