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. 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.
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.
Downweed
(Down"weed`) n. (Bot.) Cudweed, a species of Gnaphalium.
Downweigh
(Down`weigh") v. t. To weigh or press down.
A different sin downweighs them to the bottom.
Longfellow. Downy
(Down"y) a.
1. Covered with down, or with pubescence or soft hairs. "A downy feather." Shak.
Plants that . . . have downy or velvet rind upon their leaves.
Bacon. 2. Made of, or resembling, down. Hence, figuratively: Soft; placid; soothing; quiet. "A downy shower."
Keble. "Downy pillow." Pope.
Time steals on with downy feet.
Young. 3. Cunning; wary. [Slang, Eng.] Latham.
Dowral
(Dow"ral) a. Of or relating to a dower. [R.]
Dowress
(Dow"ress), n. A woman entitled to dower. Bouvier.
Dowry
(Dow"ry) n.; pl. Dowries [Contr. from dowery; cf. LL. dotarium. See Dower.]
1. A gift; endowment. [Obs.] Spenser.
2. The money, goods, or estate, which a woman brings to her husband in marriage; a bride's portion on
her marriage. See Note under Dower. Shak. Dryden.
