Function: transitive verb
Date: 14th century
1 : to bring to an end : STOP < put down a riot>
2 a : DEPOSE , DEGRADE b : DISPARAGE , BELITTLE <mentioned his poetry only to put it down > c : DISAPPROVE , CRITICIZE <was put down for the way she dressed> d : HUMILIATE , SQUELCH < put him down with a sharp retort>
3 : to make ineffective : CHECK < put down the gossip>
4 : to do away with (as an injured, sick, or aged animal) : DESTROY
5 a : to put in writing < put it down truthfully> b : to enter in a list < put me down for a donation>
6 a : to place in a category <I put him down as a hypochondriac ― O. S. J. Gogarty> b : ATTRIBUTE < put it down to inexperience>
7 : to pack or preserve for future use
8 : CONSUME < putting down helping after helping ― Carson McCullers>
– put down roots : to establish a permanent residence