n.
Pronunciation: ' dau ̇ n- ˌ fo ̇ l
Function: noun
Date: 13th century
1 a : a sudden fall (as from power) b : a fall (as of snow or rain) especially when sudden or heavy
2 : something that causes a downfall (as of a person) <gambling was his downfall >
– down · fall · en \ - ˌ fo ̇ -l ə n \ adjective