Definition of supinely

The word "supinely" can be traced back to the Latin word "supinus," which means lying flat on one's back or in a horizontal position. The origin of "supinus" can be further traced to the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) stem "*sup-," which refers to something that is raised or elevated. In Latin, "supinus" was used to describe an object or a person lying flat on their back. This meaning is still evident in the modern word "supine," which refers to someone lying face up or flat on their back. The prefix "sub-" in "supinus" is a Latin prefix that means "under" or "beneath." This prefix was likely added to highlight the contrast between an object or person being raised or elevated ("sup-") from a position lying under or beneath it ("sub-"), such as an object raised off the ground or a person lifted off the floor. The Latin "supinus" was borrowed into various European languages, including French ("supin"), Spanish ("supino"), and Portuguese ("supino"), all of which mean "lying face up" or "prone." The English word "supinely" is derived from the Middle English "supyne," which came from the Old French "supin," which also mean "prone" or "face up." In summary, "supinely" is derived from the Latin word "supinus," which literally means lying flat on one's back, with the prefix "sub" added to highlight the contrast between being "raised" or "elevated" from being "under" or "beneath" something. The meaning has remained consistent throughout its journey in various European languages, ultimately leading to the modern-day usage of "supinely" in English.