— downwardly , adv. — downwardness , n.
/down"weuhrd/ , adv.
1. Also, downwards . from a higher to a lower place or condition.
2. down from a source or beginning: As the river flows downward, it widens.
3. from a past time, predecessor, or ancestor: The estate was handed downward from generation to generation.
adj.
4. moving or tending to a lower place or condition.
5. descending from a source or beginning.
[ 1150-1200; ME dounward, aph. var. of adounward, OE adunweard. See DOWN 1 , -WARD ]