Down"ward (?), Down"wards (?), adv. [AS. adnweard. See Down, adv., and -ward.]

1.

From a higher place to a lower; in a descending course; as, to tend, move, roll, look, or take root, downward or downwards.

"Looking downwards."

Pope.

Their heads they downward bent. Drayton.

2.

From a higher to a lower condition; toward misery, humility, disgrace, or ruin.

And downward fell into a groveling swine. Milton.

3.

From a remote time; from an ancestor or predecessor; from one to another in a descending line.

A ring the county wears, That downward hath descended in his house, From son to son, some four or five descents. Shak.

 

© Webster 1913.


Down"ward, a.

1.

Moving or extending from a higher to a lower place; tending toward the earth or its center, or toward a lower level; declivous.

With downward force That drove the sand along he took his way. Dryden.

2.

Descending from a head, origin, or source; as, a downward line of descent.

3.

Tending to a lower condition or state; depressed; dejected; as, downward thoughts.

Sir P. Sidney.

 

© Webster 1913.

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