| 释义 |
down·ward
I. \ˈdau̇nwə(r)d\ adverb
also down·wards \-dz\
Etymology: downward from Middle English dounward, from doun down + -ward; downwards from Middle English dounwardes, from dounward + -es (adverbially functioning gen. singular ending of nouns) — more at down, -s
1. : from a higher place to a lower : in a descending course
< looking downward to the grass >
< the streams roll downward to the sea >
2. : from a higher to a lower condition
< revised his estimate downward >
: toward misery, humility, disgrace, or ruin
< fell from grace and went downward in life >
3. : from a remote or earlier time : from an ancestor or predecessor : from one to another in a descending line
< prophets from Elijah downward who preached repentance >
II. adjective
Etymology: Middle English dounward, from dounward, adverb
1. : moving or extending from a higher to a lower place : tending toward the earth or its center or toward a lower level
< the downward pull of gravity >
2. : descending from a head, origin, or source
< a downward line of descent >
< the downward course of a stream >
3.
a. archaic : tending to a lower state : dejected
b. : directed toward or leading to ruin, destruction, or damnation
< a man on the downward path >
< took her downward way >
c. : debasing
< the scripture contains many downward comparisons of man and his ways >
4. archaic : being below : lower
• down·ward·ly adverb
• down·ward·ness noun -es |