1. to lay (something) face down; to place upside down; to turn over (face down)
書類を伏せる。Lay the documents face down.
2. to point downwards (one's eyes, head, etc.); to cast down (one's eyes)
リオは顔を伏せ、俺に表情を読ませなくした。Rio looked down so that I couldn't read the expression.
3. to lay (oneself) face down; to lie face down; to lie flat (on one's stomach); to throw (oneself) to the ground
両手を広げて床に伏せろ。Spread your arms and lie face down on the floor.
4. to conceal; to hide; to keep secret; to place in hiding (e.g. troops for an ambush)
でも、その敵に関しての情報は、これまで一切伏せられていた。However, information regarding that enemy had been completely concealed until now.
5. to bring (someone) down; to kill
Verb (1-dan, intransitive)
6. to lie down (and sleep); to go to bed (with an illness)
also written as 臥せる
病に伏せていた。They were bedridden with an illness.