Dictionary

supineness en · NOUN

Etymology

Etymology tree English supine Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English supineness From supine + -ness.

Meanings

1. (uncountable, usually) The state of being supine.
   • [T]here is an incessant and ever-flowing current of human affairs towards the worse, consisting of all the follies, all the vices, all the negligences, indolences, and supinenesses of mankind; which is only controlled, and kept from sweeping all before it, by the exertions which some persons constantly, and others by fits, put forth in the direction of good and worthy objects. 1861, John Stuart Mill, “The Criterion of a Good Form of Government”, in Considerations on Representative Government, London: Parker, Son, and Bourn, […], →OCLC, page 26:
   • When he returned to understand how Fanny was situated, and perceive its ill effects, there seemed with him but one thing to be done, and that “Fanny must have a horse,” was the resolute declaration with which he opposed whatever could be urged by the supineness of his mother, or the economy of his aunt, to make it appear unimportant. 1814 May 9, [Jane Austen], chapter IV, in Mansfield Park: […], volume I, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 71:
   • She almost taunted Fleda with supineness in not getting something out of somebody—in the same breath indeed in which she drenched her with a kind of appreciation more onerous to the girl than blame. 1897, Henry James, The Spoils of Poynton:
   • In the first dejected state of his mind upon the loss of Ellina, the future had presented but a sterile waste; a tranquil but languid repose at best seemed to await him—a torpid existence, a miserable endurance of life, when the soul, susceptible of an aching void, resigns itself to the supineness of apathy. 1838, [Letitia Elizabeth] Landon (indicated as editor), chapter XVIII, in Duty and Inclination: […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 232:
   • We have long wondered here at the Supineness of the English Nation, under the Prussian Impositions upon its Trade entering our Port. 1773, Benjamin Franklin, An Edict by the King of Prussia:
2. (uncountable, usually) Total submissiveness; flat on one's back, lacking any backbone; with total abandon; prostrate; supine
   • I can safely appeal to the magistrates for the truth of these statements; knowing how deeply they lament that sinful supineness, which has occasioned such an increase of depravity. (p. 32) 1812, William Hale, Considerations on the causes and the prevalence of Female Prostitution, and on the most practicable and efficient means of abating and preventing that, and all other crimes against the virtue and safety of the community:
   • Instead, therefore, of addressing the legislature, or the magistrates, I shall endeavour to shew, that the evil does not rest with those who make, nor with those who are intrusted with the execution of, the laws; but that it has greatly increased in, consequence of the sinful supineness of individuals, and the relaxation of the moral system of parishes. (p. 28) 1812, William Hale, Considerations on the causes and the prevalence of Female Prostitution, and on the most practicable and efficient means of abating and preventing that, and all other crimes against the virtue and safety of the community:

Forms