down1
adv.
- towards or in a lower place or position.
▸to or at a place perceived as lower.
▸away from the north.
▸Brit. away from the capital or major city.
▸Brit. away from a university, especially Oxford or Cambridge.
- to or at a lower level or value.
▸to a smaller amount or size, or a simpler or more basic state.
▸from an earlier to a later point in time or order.
- in or into a weaker or worse position, mood, or condition.
▸(of a computer system) out of action.
- so as to lie flush or flat.
- in or into writing.
▸on or on to a list or record.
- (with reference to partial payment of a sum of money) made initially or on the spot.
- (of sailing) with the current or the wind.
▸(of a ship's helm) moved round to leeward.
- American Football (of the ball or a player in possession) not in play.
prep.
- from a higher to a lower point of.
- at a point further along the course of.
▸along the course or extent of.
- throughout (a period of time).
- informal at or to (a place).
adj.
- directed or moving towards a lower place or position.
▸denoting trains travelling away from the main terminus.
- unhappy.
- (of a computer system) out of action.
- US black slang supporting or going along with.
▸following the latest fashion.
- Physics denoting a flavour of quark having a charge of -¹⁄₃.
v.
informal - knock or bring to the ground.
- consume (a drink).
- (of a golfer) sink (a putt).
n.
-
(downs)
informal unwelcome events.
- informal a period of unhappiness.
- American Football a chance for a team to advance the ball, ending when the ball carrier is tackled or the ball becomes out of play.
Phrase
- be
(or have a)
down on
Brit. informal feel hostile towards. - be down to
- be attributable to (a factor).
▸be the responsibility of.
- be left with only (the specified amount).
- down and dirty
N. Amer. informal - highly competitive or unprincipled.
- raw and uninhibited.
- down at heel
- (of a shoe) having a worn heel.
- shabby or impoverished.
- down in the mouth
informal unhappy. - down on one's luck
informal having a period of bad luck. - down to the ground
informal completely; totally. - down tools
Brit. informal stop work. - down with ——
expressing strong dislike.
Etymology
OE dūn, dūne, shortened from adūne ‘downward’, from the phr. of dūne ‘off the hill’ (see down3).
down3
n.
a gently rolling hill.
▸
(the Downs)
ridges of undulating chalk and limestone hills in southern England.
Etymology
OE dūn ‘hill’, perh. ult. of Celtic origin and rel. to Old Ir. dún and obs. Welsh din ‘fort’.