prəun adj. 1 a lying
face downwards (cf. SUPINE). b lying flat;
prostrate. c having
the front part downwards,
esp. the palm of the
hand. 2 (usu. foll. by
to, or to + infin.) disposed or
liable, esp. to a
bad action,
condition, etc. (is prone to
bite his nails). 3 (usu. in comb.)
more than usually
likely to
suffer (accident-prone). 4
archaic with a
downward slope or
direction. øøpronely adv. proneness n. [ME f. L pronus f.
pro forwards]