procumbent

adjective

pro·​cum·​bent prō-ˈkəm-bənt How to pronounce procumbent (audio)
1
: being or having stems that trail along the ground without rooting
2
: lying face down

Word History

Etymology

Latin procumbent-, procumbens, present participle of procumbere to fall or lean forward, from pro- forward + -cumbere to lie down

First Known Use

1668, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of procumbent was in 1668

Rhymes for procumbent

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Browse Nearby Words

-proctus
procumbent
procurability
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Cite this Entry

“Procumbent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/procumbent. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

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Medical Definition

procumbent

adjective
pro·​cum·​bent (ˈ)prō-ˈkəm-bənt How to pronounce procumbent (audio)
: a slanting forward
procumbent maxillary incisors
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