prone

Prone is an English term with two principal meanings. As an adjective, it means likely to experience or suffer something, for example someone who is prone to headaches or mistakes. It is often followed by to and a noun or a gerund, such as “prone to illness” or “prone to making errors.” In medicine and anatomy, prone refers to a specific body position: lying face down with the chest and abdomen facing downward and the back upward. This is frequently described as the prone position and is often contrasted with the supine position, which is lying on the back.

Etymology and scope: the word derives from Latin pronus, meaning bent forward or leaning down, and has been used in English since the late medieval period. Its use covers both general descriptive language about predisposition and technical descriptions of posture in clinical, surgical, and athletic contexts.

Medical and practical uses: in clinical settings, the prone position can be used to access the back, facilitate certain procedures, or improve respiratory mechanics in specific conditions. It is a standard term in procedures, imaging, and respiratory therapy, though it requires careful consideration of patient safety, including airway management, spinal integrity, and circulatory status. In everyday language, prone remains a flexible modifier expressing a tendency toward a particular outcome, rather than an absolute guarantee.

Usage notes: avoid confusing the two senses in close writing by clarifying whether you mean a physical position or a predisposition. In contrast to prone, the opposite physical position is supine, meaning lying on the back.