1.
If you hand down something such as knowledge, a possession, or a skill, you give or leave it to people who belong to a younger generation.
The idea of handing down his knowledge from generation to generation is important to McLean.
= pass on
PHRASAL VERB : V P n (not pron) , also V n P
2.
When a particular decision is handed down by someone in authority, it is given by them. ( JOURNALISM )
Tougher sentences are being handed down these days...
She is expected soon to hand down a ruling.
PHRASAL VERB : be V-ed P , V P n (not pron) , also V n P