transitive verb
Etymology: bear (IV)
1.
a. : to subdue in battle or contention : overwhelm
the castle defenders were borne down
b. : to overcome in argument or discussion
borne down by the weight of evidence
2. : to weigh down : drag down
branches of the tree borne down by the large yield
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to sail especially with the wind
b. of ships : to sail toward each other
2. : to be arduous and zealous : exert full strength and concentrated attention
to hold his place he had to bear down
the pitcher bore down in the pinches and won the game
3. : to contract the abdominal muscles and the diaphragm during childbirth
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- bear down on