n.
Pronunciation: ' dau ̇ n
Function: adverb
Etymology: Middle English doun, from Old English d ū ne, short for ad ū ne, of d ū ne, from a- (fr. of ), of off, from + d ū ne, dative of d ū n hill
Date: before 12th century
1 a (1) : toward or in a lower physical position (2) : to a lying or sitting position (3) : toward or to the ground, floor, or bottom b : as a down payment <paid $10 down > c : on paper <put down what he says>
2 : in a direction that is the opposite of up: as a : SOUTHWARD b : to or toward a point away from the speaker or the speaker's point of reference c : in or into the stomach <can't keep food down >
3 : to a lesser degree, level, or rate <cool down tensions>
4 : to or toward a lower position in a series
5 a : to or in a lower or worse condition or status b ― used to indicate thoroughness or completion <dusted down the house> <described him down to his haircut>
6 : from a past time <stories passed down by word of mouth>
7 : to or in a state of less activity or prominence
8 : to a concentrated state <got the report down to three pages>
9 : into defeat <voted the motion down >
– down to the ground : PERFECTLY , COMPLETELY <that suits me down to the ground >