downrightadv.adj.n.
/ˈdaʊnrʌɪt/, U.S. /ˈdaʊnˌraɪt/ (In post-qualifier position or at the end of a clause, also)Brit. /ˌdaʊnˈrʌɪt/, U.S. /ˌdaʊnˈraɪt/ A. adv.† 1. Straight down; vertically. Obsolete.† 3. So that the act is finished there and then; altogether, outright. Obsolete. to kill (also slay, etc.) downright and variants: to kill in such a manner that the victim dies on the spot. Also similarly to die downright.† 4. Straightaway; straight, directly. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > vertical position > [adverb]
downrightsa1170
downrightc1225
adownrightsc1275
righta1325
plumbc1425
perpendiculara1527
perpendicularly1555
endlong1600
plumb-wise1613
vertically1646
up and down1669
plumbly1931
c1225 (?c1200) St. Margaret (Bodl.) (1934) 28 Þet milde meiden Margarte grap þet grisliche þing..& hef him up & duste him dunriht to þer eorðe.
c1261 ( Bounds (Sawyer 1165) in S. E. Kelly Charters of Chertsey Abbey (2015) 108 Fram þe rude dunrigte bi one weie an westhalf Poddenhale to Winebrigth almest.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 12783 Þe drake..flah dun-rihte [c1300 Otho dun riht] mid feond-liche ræsen.
c1330 Seven Sages (Auch.) (1933) l. 488 Hewe him [sc. þe elde tre] to þe grounde doun riȝt.
c1426 J. Audelay Poems (1931) 21 (MED) He fel downe ryȝt Into hel sodenly.
a1460 Knyghthode & Bataile (Pembr. Cambr. 243) l. 535 (MED) The dike withouten be ix foote brode, and vii deep dounright.
?a1534 H. Medwall Nature i. sig. aiv Some shote sydelong and some down ryght.
1542 T. Elyot Bibliotheca Cedentes cepilli, heares hanging down ryght.
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World II. 467 Otherwhiles they meet with rocks of flint and rags, as wel in vndermining forward, as in sinking pits downeright.
1674 J. Ray Notes Husb. 129 That part of the root, which descends down-right.
1728 A. Pope Dunciad ii. 264 He..Shot to the black abyss, and plung'd down-right.
1763 Brit. Mag. 4 554 Several..were seen to sink downright, by some people who were on the cliffs.
1813 J. Hogg Queen's Wake 75 Than sousit dounright like the stern-shot light.
2. Completely, entirely; positively, absolutely, utterly. Now chiefly modifying adjectives, adverbs, and prepositional phrases.Now the usual sense.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > utterly
allOE
allOE
outlyOE
thwert-outc1175
skerea1225
thoroughc1225
downrightc1275
purec1300
purelyc1300
faira1325
finelyc1330
quitec1330
quitelyc1330
utterlyc1374
outerlya1382
plainlya1382
straighta1387
allutterly1389
starkc1390
oultrelya1393
plata1393
barec1400
outrightc1400
incomparablyc1422
absolutely?a1425
simpliciter?a1425
staringa1425
quitementa1450
properlyc1450
directly1455
merec1475
incomparable1482
preciselyc1503
clean?1515
cleara1522
plain1535
merely1546
stark1553
perfectly1555
right-down1566
simply1574
flat1577
flatly1577
skire1581
plumb1588
dead?1589
rankly1590
stark1593
sheera1600
start1599
handsmooth1600
peremptory1601
sheerly1601
rank1602
utter1619
point-blank1624
proofa1625
peremptorily1626
downrightly1632
right-down1646
solid1651
clever1664
just1668
hollow1671
entirely1673
blank1677
even down1677
cleverly1696
uncomparatively1702
subtly1733
point1762
cussed1779
regularly1789
unqualifiedly1789
irredeemably1790
positively1800
cussedly1802
heart1812
proper1816
slick1818
blankly1822
bang1828
smack1828
pluperfectly1831
unmitigatedly1832
bodaciously1833
unredeemedly1835
out of sight1839
bodacious1845
regular1846
thoroughly1846
ingrainedly1869
muckinga1880
fucking1893
motherless1898
self1907
stone1928
sideways1956
terminally1974
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 3041 Þa Densce men dunrih[t] at-soken þat heo to Brut-londe nolden maren senden gold.
a1400 Psalter (Vesp.) cv. 18 in C. Horstmann Yorkshire Writers (1896) II. 240 Þe lowe it swath sinful dounrighte.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 389 Theyle mock vs now dounright . View more context for this quotation
1664 H. More Apol. in Modest Enq. Myst. Iniquity 562 Unless you were down-right mad.
1709 A. Hill Full Acct. Ottoman Empire vi. 43 They have convenient Time and Opportunity to Carouse at Pleasure, till becoming downright Drunk.
1788 E. Inchbald Such Things Are iv. i. 47 If my friend had not given me the hint, damn me if I shou'd not think her down right angry.
1832 H. Martineau Homes Abroad v. 66 I was downright scared.
1867 Q. Rev. Jan. 223 Josh never laughs downright. There may be a knowing light in the eye, an oafish pucker at the corners of the mouth, otherwise he is prim as a Puritan.
1895 I. Maclaren Beside Bonnie Brier Bush vi. ii. 214 It's doonricht aggravatin' that ye're no content pesterin oor lif oot wi' that English body in the kirkyaird.
1914 Iowa Homestead (Des Moines) 17 Sept. 16/4 We do not know just what it is, but whatever it is we are downright against it.
1980 Times 14 June 13/2 I have known chess-masters..who were or are downright stupid.
2014 D. Collins Russian's Acquisition xiv. 173 If Alesksy's work ethic had suffered when Clair was waiting at the penthouse for him, it downright evaporated when she wasn't there at all.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > wholeness > completeness > completely [phrase] > altogether, entirely, or completely
bedenec1175
all outc1300
downrightc1330
downrightsc1330
at alla1375
whole together1551
in all sorts1559
right out1578
clear1600
neck and heels1647
to rights1663
head over ears1774
neck and crop1791
fair and square1870
in total1965
c1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 884 For douke morgan sake Mani on dyd doun riȝt.
c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xviii. l. 191 God gaf þe dome..Þat Adam & Eue..Shulde deye doune riȝte.
a1500 (a1470) Brut (BL Add. 10099) 498 Scottes þat day wer slayn down right the s[u]bstaunce of þame all.
1528 Rede me & be nott Wrothe sig. biiijv Goddis worde..slewe the masse downe right Of so auncient continuaunce.
1575 T. Newton tr. C. A. Curione Notable Hist. Saracens ii. f. 67v As they..striued, who might first get a boorde they were killed downe right at the pleasure and full desire of their Enemies.
1676 E. Worsley Disc. Miracles Rom. Catholick Church iii. 59 One cart Wheel passed over the Childs very head..and downright killed him, in so much that he neither groaned, or ever made noyse.
1720 W. R. Chetwood Voy. Capt. R. Falconer ii. 121 Kill'd four downright, and wounded several.
1829 C. MacFarlane Constantinople in 1828 xviii. 273 The candidate must die downright on the field of battle—his soul must issue forth as the blood flows from his wounds—if he survive some days, or even hours, and then die of his wounds, the bright palm is his no longer.
1880 Huddersfield Daily Chron. 20 Feb. 3/2 An examination of the dining hall after the explosion made it apparent that the Czar and probably the members of the Imperial family would have been seriously injured, if not killed downright.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb]
soonc825
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
rekeneOE
rekenlyOE
thereright971
anonOE
forth ona1000
coflyc1000
ferlyc1000
radlyOE
swiftlyc1000
unyoreOE
yareOE
at the forme (also first) wordOE
nowOE
shortlya1050
rightOE
here-rightlOE
right anonlOE
anonc1175
forthrightc1175
forthwithalc1175
skeetc1175
swithc1175
with and withc1175
anon-rightc1225
anon-rights?c1225
belivec1225
lightly?c1225
quickly?c1225
tidelyc1225
fastlyc1275
hastilyc1275
i-radlichec1275
as soon asc1290
aright1297
bedenea1300
in little wevea1300
withoute(n dwella1300
alrightc1300
as fast (as)c1300
at firstc1300
in placec1300
in the placec1300
mididonec1300
outrightc1300
prestc1300
streck13..
titec1300
without delayc1300
that stounds1303
rada1325
readya1325
apacec1325
albedenec1330
as (also also) titec1330
as blivec1330
as line rightc1330
as straight as linec1330
in anec1330
in presentc1330
newlyc1330
suddenlyc1330
titelyc1330
yernec1330
as soon1340
prestly1340
streckly1340
swithly?1370
evenlya1375
redelya1375
redlya1375
rifelya1375
yeplya1375
at one blastc1380
fresha1382
ripelyc1384
presentc1385
presently1385
without arrestc1385
readilyc1390
in the twinkling of a looka1393
derflya1400
forwhya1400
skeetlya1400
straighta1400
swifta1400
maintenantc1400
out of handc1400
wightc1400
at a startc1405
immediately1420
incontinent1425
there and then1428
onenec1429
forwithc1430
downright?a1439
agatec1440
at a tricec1440
right forth1440
withouten wonec1440
whipc1460
forthwith1461
undelayed1470
incessantly1472
at a momentc1475
right nowc1475
synec1475
incontinently1484
promptly1490
in the nonce?a1500
uncontinent1506
on (upon, in) the instant1509
in short1513
at a clap1519
by and by1526
straightway1526
at a twitch1528
at the first chop1528
maintenantly1528
on a tricea1529
with a tricec1530
at once1531
belively1532
straightwaysa1533
short days1533
undelayedly1534
fro hand1535
indelayedly1535
straight forth1536
betimesc1540
livelyc1540
upononc1540
suddenly1544
at one (or a) dash?1550
at (the) first dash?1550
instantly1552
forth of hand1564
upon the nines1568
on the nail1569
at (also in, with) a thoughtc1572
indilately1572
summarily1578
at one (a) chop1581
amain1587
straightwise1588
extempore1593
presto1598
upon the place1600
directly1604
instant1604
just now1606
with a siserary1607
promiscuously1609
at (in) one (an) instant1611
on (also upon) the momenta1616
at (formerly also on or upon) sight1617
hand to fist1634
fastisha1650
nextly1657
to rights1663
straightaway1663
slap1672
at first bolt1676
point-blank1679
in point1680
offhand1686
instanter1688
sonica1688
flush1701
like a thought1720
in a crack1725
momentary1725
bumbye1727
clacka1734
plumba1734
right away1734
momentarily1739
momentaneously1753
in a snap1768
right off1771
straight an end1778
abruptedly1784
in a whistle1784
slap-bang1785
bang?1795
right off the reel1798
in a whiff1800
in a flash1801
like a shot1809
momently1812
in a brace or couple of shakes1816
in a gird1825
(all) in a rush1829
in (also at, on) short (also quick) order1830
straightly1830
toot sweetc1830
in two twos1838
rectly1843
quick-stick1844
short metre1848
right1849
at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat1854
off the hooks1860
quicksticks1860
straight off1873
bang off1886
away1887
in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1890
ek dum1895
tout de suite1895
bung1899
one time1899
prompt1910
yesterday1911
in two ups1934
presto changeo1946
now-now1966
presto change1987
a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) v. l. 1523 This noble Mark..cam to the feeld doun riht.
1576 J. Woolton Armoure of Proufe Ep. Ded. sig. Aiiv Troublous motions, and flitting mindes, whiche..driueth him downeright into dreadfull desperation.
1642 H. More Ψυχωδια Platonica 54 The soul that I..Must now pursue and fall upon down-right.
1683 J. Turner Pallas Armata xix. 117 If they fled downright, without taking notice of their Camp, either their speed carried them away, or they saved their lives.
1712 J. Arbuthnot John Bull in his Senses iii. 14 This Paper put Mrs. Bull in such a Passion, that she fell downright into a Fit.
5. With reference to speech and behaviour: in a direct and straightforward manner; clearly; bluntly; outright. Now archaic and rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > sincerity, freedom from deceit > [adverb]
utterly?c1225
entirelya1340
faithlyc1350
without (but) feigningc1380
clearly1389
whollyc1390
unfeigninglyc1400
entirec1430
unfeigneda1469
without coloura1513
honestly1526
singly1526
unfeignedly1526
uncolourably1541
bona fide1542
frankly?1553
sincerely1560
squarely1564
uprightly1565
square1577
single-mindedly1579
undissemblinglyc1585
above board1599
fair and square1604
downright1607
downrightly1632
really1641
uncasuistly1649
honest1654
up tro1654
plain-heartedly1675
unaffectedly1677
straightforwardly1839
wholeheartedly1845
unfallaciously1852
up and down1854
single-heartedly1857
unflatteringly1874
uncynically1895
square on1963
1607 R. Abbot 2nd Pt. Def. Reformed Catholicke ix. 1194 Thomas like a plaine meaning man speaketh downe-right, albeit otherwise he be as full of distinctions as any other.
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iii. iv. 26 You haue heard him sweare downright he was. View more context for this quotation
1651 T. Collier Pulpit-guard Routed Ep. to Rdr. sig. A2v I have therefore dealt the more plain, and downright, yet still in truth and love.
1690 T. Burnet Theory of Earth iv. 131 St. Peter..uses a plain literal style, and discourses down-right concerning the natural world.
1701 tr. A. Dacier Wks. Plato Abridg'd II. Intrd. sig. Aa2v He speaks downright of his Innocence, and does not stoop to the cowardly base methods of begging Votes.
1781 J. Wesley Let. 4 Aug. (1931) VII. 78 When any young gentleman came to me at Oxford, I told him plain and downright, ‘Sir, I cannot undertake to make you either a scholar or a Christian unless you will promise me..to read those books which I advise.’
1865 F. Marryat Too Good for Him II. 78 Mr. Halkett..told him downright that he had assisted at many weddings.
1899 Fort Wayne (Indiana) Jrnl. 24 Jan. 6/4 Men whom the police had found buying tickets, and who were always supposedly honorable men, swore downright in court that they knew nothing about the game.
1918 Youth's Compan. 7 Nov. 592/4 She said downright that wasn't a motto she believed in.
1944 G. Heyer Friday's Child iii. 34 I never mills any ken of yours! I'll cap downright I never did, nor I never will!
B. adj.† 1. Directed straight downwards; running straight down; vertical. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > vertical position > [adjective]
plumb rightc1445
perpendiculara1450
plumba1500
downright1530
straight-upc1590
vertic1607
up and downc1710
vertical1725
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 215/1 Downeright stroke, taille.
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 135 Rockes of a down right pitche, or a steepe down falle.
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball v. xiv. 566 This Hawkweede hath no deepe downeright roote.
1594 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 ii. iii. 96 Haue at you Peter with down-right blowes.
1626 G. Sandys in tr. Ovid Metamorphosis xi. 225 To iump from downe-right cliffes.
1684 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 2nd Pt. ii. 71 He gave him again a down-right blow, and brought him upon his knees. View more context for this quotation
1760 Philos. Trans. 1759 (Royal Soc.) 51 299 Its motion was..quite downright, i.e. perpendicular to the horizon.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth xi, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. II. 313 At length, whether weary of these manœuvres..Bonthron heaved up his axe for a downright blow.
1871 Scribner's Monthly Oct. 637/1 [He] dealt him a downright blow on the pot-helmet with his sheathed weapon.
1900 H. Blore Imperial Light Horseman vii. 116 The hill we had reached was crowned with thick bush, and sank gradually before us till it ended in a downright cliff.
2. † a. In its simplest or most basic form; ordinary. Chiefly in downright money: money in the form of coins and banknotes, payment in cash. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1565 T. Cooper Thesaurus at Autopyron Browne breade: householde breade: downe right breade.
1693 H. Higden Wary Widdow 7 Finding none prefer'd at Court, but for some by Interest, or Downright money, I was condemn'd to take the Luckier side.
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 266. ⁋3 [She] is not to have down-right Money, but..a Present of Plate.
1894 Proc. Ann. Meeting Nat. Civil-service Reform League 19 The banknotes, to be sure, were downright money; but are not consulships money's worth to members of Congress?
b. That is thoroughly or entirely (what is denoted by the noun); outright, absolute, unmitigated, utter.Now the usual sense.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adjective] > utter or absolute
shirea1225
purec1300
properc1380
plainc1395
cleana1400
fine?a1400
entirec1400
veryc1400
starka1425
utterc1430
utterlyc1440
merec1443
absolute1531
outright1532
cleara1535
bloodyc1540
unproachable1544
flat1553
downright1577
sheer1583
right-down?1586
single1590
peremptory1601
perfecta1616
downa1625
implicit1625
every way1628
blank1637
out-and-outa1642
errant1644
inaccessional1651
thorough-paced1651
even down1654
dead1660
double-dyed1667
through stitch1681
through-stitched1682
total1702
thoroughgoing1719
thorough-sped1730
regular1740
plumb1748
hollow1751
unextenuated1765
unmitigated1783
stick, stock, stone dead1796
positive1802
rank1809
heart-whole1823
skire1825
solid1830
fair1835
teetotal1840
bodacious1845
raw1856
literal1857
resounding1873
roaring1884
all out1893
fucking1893
pink1896
twenty-four carat1900
grand slam1915
stone1928
diabolical1933
fricking1937
righteous1940
fecking1952
raving1954
1577 H. I. tr. H. Bullinger 50 Godlie Serm. III. v. i. sig. Bb.ii The man that is prodigall.., is for the most parte desirous of other mennes goods, from whence arise..downright deceipte, shamelesse shiftes, murders, and seditions.
a1628 J. Preston Serm. before His Majestie (1630) 19 To be a downe-right Papist.
1699 R. Bentley Diss. Epist. Phalaris (new ed.) 267 This is no better than down-right Non-sense.
1739 ‘J. Philander’ Vitulus Aureus 152 He that thinks to gain her Love by a Rude and Tyrannical Behaviour, is a downright fool.
1792 World 5 Nov. As to the pretended sumptuosity of the table..it is a downright falsehood.
1865 G. MacDonald Alec Forbes II. xi. 99 Ye're a' gait at ance, Annie Anderson. A doonricht rintheroot!
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) I. 344 He is a downright atheist.
1967 Times 24 June 11/5 Here in Guyana, the term ‘a nancy story’ is common everyday parlance for a far-fetched yarn or even a downright lie.
1973 P. White Eye of Storm i. 64 ‘You're so unfair!’ A whinge developed through a moan into a downright blub.
2015 A. Titley tr. M. Ó Cadhain Dirty Dust ix. 246 That's another downright lie, the cocksucker!
c. Of a person, or his or her behaviour or manner: straightforward, uncomplicated, honest, plain-speaking. Of speech: clear, unambiguous; direct, blunt.In quot. 1584 in the title of a song tune.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > sincerity, freedom from deceit > [adjective]
aefauldOE
trueOE
true as steela1300
throlya1375
entirec1380
faithfula1382
entirelyc1400
single1519
sincere1533
sincere1539
simple-minded1556
Dunstable?1565
truthful?1567
single-hearted1574
single-minded1577
sound1580
downright1584
unaffected1592
real1597
plain-hearted1601
unartificial1603
free1619
honest1634
fair and square1636
round-dealing1642
wholehearted1657
down flata1663
well-designing1670
heart-whole1684
single-eyed1705
unsanctimoniousa1797
natural1825
bona fide1827
unfallacious1827
jannock1828
forthcoming1835
up and down1836
bonified1840
forthgoing1851
unhypocritical1854
forthright1855
upstanding1863
on the level1872
genuine1890
for real1954
upfront1967
1584 C. Robinson et al. Handefull Pleasant Delites (new ed.) sig. A.iiii L. Gibsons Tantara, wherin Danea welcommeth home her Lord Diophon from the war. To the tune of, Down right Squire.
1599 G. Silver Paradoxes Def. 24 Surely, I thinke a downe right fellow, that neuer came in schoole..shold put one of these imperfect schollers greatly to his shifts.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iii. i. 370 They say this Angelo was not made of Man and Woman, after this downe-right way of Creation. View more context for this quotation
a1625 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Knight of Malta v. ii, in Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Mmmmm3/2 Your downe right Captain still Ile live, and serve you.
a1626 F. Bacon Advice to G. Villiers in Wks. (1861) XIII. 26 An admonition from a dead author, or a caveat from an impartial pen, will prevail more than a downright advice.
1719 R. Savage Love in Veil i. i. 7 What we call in downright English a pimp.
1733 A. Pope 1st Satire 2nd Bk. Horace Imitated i. 9 I love to pour out all myself, as plain As downright Shippen, or as old Montagne.
1923 L. Untermeyer Amer. Poetry Since 1900 i. 24 Frost's humor is often declared and downright. It gives ‘The Mountain’ and ‘The Generations of Men’ their ironic pungence.
1934 J. B. Priestley Eng. Journey xi. 364 That this paragraph will annoy the typical citizen of Hull, who prides himself upon being a plain and downright fellow, I have no doubt.
1992 F. Burroughs River Home vi. 201 She was a tall, big-boned, and downright woman, somewhere in her seventies, I judged, with a bright eye and a quick, soft laugh.
1. A vertical line; a perpendicular. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > vertical position > [noun] > vertical line or plane
upright1563
perpendicular1604
downright1674
erect1676
the vertical1834
1674 N. Fairfax Treat. Bulk & Selvedge 153 Brought by a sharp angle to a downright or perpendicular..with the thiller.
2. Chiefly in plural. A particular grade of wool. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > wool > [noun] > type of > other
cot1471
wool1608
Lemster ore1610
belta1641
vigone1656
downright1749
stitchel1775
super1797
Saxony1842
lustre1894
snow-white1896
sixties-
1749 W. Ellis Compl. Syst. Improvem. Sheep 382 There are nine Sorts of Wool contained in one good Fleece, which to make out, they say, that there are five Sorts for making Cloth, and four for Combings; a superfine Wool, a head Wool, Downrights, Seconds, and Livery.
1793 N. Vansittart Refl. Propriety Peace 73 Downrights £12 0 0 per pack, Seconds £11 0 0.
1853 Friend 24 Dec. 115/1 The sorter..separates the wool into the following kinds: ‘prime’, ‘choice’, ‘super’, ‘head’, ‘downrights’, ‘seconds’, ‘fine abb’, ‘coarse abb’, ‘livery’, &c.
1888 Encycl. Brit. XXIV. 656/2 In the worsted trade the classification [of wool] goes..in descending series, from fine, blue, neat, brown, breech, downright, seconds, to abb.
1921 Wool Rec. 27 Oct. 1115/1 Downrights was the term applied by the wool sorter to the material coming from the lower parts of the sides of a fleece.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2018; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
<
adv.adj.n.c1225