Procumbent

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Describing a plant or stem that lies flat on the ground without rooting at the nodes; referring to a posture or position that is prone or inclined forward
2. Characterizing vegetation that grows along the surface without developing new roots from contact points; indicating a tendency to lean or lean forwards closely over a surface
3. Pertaining to stems or branches that spread horizontally along the soil without establishing new roots; denoting a lying or reclining stance oriented toward the ground

Etymology: "Procumbent" is built from two Latin parts: "pro," meaning "forward," and "cumbere," meaning "to lie down." Put together, the word describes something that lies down while leaning or stretching forward, which is exactly how a trailing plant sprawls across soil. Botanists use the term for stems that spread flat along the ground, such as creeping thyme or some clovers, without putting down roots at their joints. The forward element in the Latin is what separates it from a plain "prostrate" plant that simply lies flat: a procumbent stem is angled outward and sends its growth ahead of itself across the surface. The same Latin verb "cumbere" also gave English "incumbent," someone who lies or leans upon an office, and "recumbent," lying back at rest. Each pairs "cumbere" with a different preposition, so the three words differ only by the direction in which the lying-down happens.

Synonyms: reclining, prostrate, lying down, supine, horizontal

Antonyms: upright, erect, vertical, standing