Downward — Defs

01 adv. From a higher place to a lower; in a descending course; as, to tend, move, roll, look, or take root, downward or downwards.

1.
From a higher place to a lower; in a descending course; as, to tend, move, roll, look, or take root, downward or downwards.
“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.

02 a. Moving or extending from a higher to a lower place; tending toward the earth or its center, or toward a lower level; declivous.

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.