downward

Adjective · Adverb
Synonyms: down(a)downward(a)downward(ip)downdownwardsdownwardly

WordNet 3.0

Adjective (2)

  1. extending or moving from a higher to a lower place“the down staircase”“the downward course of the stream”Synonyms: down(a)downward(a)
  2. on or toward a surface regarded as a base“he lay face downward”“the downward pull of gravity”Synonyms: downward(ip)

Adverb (1)

  1. spatially or metaphorically from a higher to a lower level or position“don't fall down”“rode the lift up and skied down”“prices plunged downward”Synonyms: downdownwardsdownwardly
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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. [1913 Webster]

Their heads they downward bent.— Drayton.[1913 Webster]

2.From a higher to a lower condition; toward misery, humility, disgrace, or ruin. [1913 Webster]

And downward fell into a groveling swine.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

3.From a remote time; from an ancestor or predecessor; from one to another in a descending line. [1913 Webster]

A ring the county wears, That downward hath descended in his house, From son to son, some four or five descents.— Shak.[1913 Webster]
Downward \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. [1913 Webster]

With downward force That drove the sand along he took his way.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

2.Descending from a head, origin, or source; as, a downward line of descent. [1913 Webster]

3.Tending to a lower condition or state; depressed; dejected; as, downward thoughts. --Sir P. Sidney. [1913 Webster]

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