Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Downward?

\Down"ward\, Downwards \Down"wards\, adv. [AS. ad?nweard. 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.
\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.