WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Down"ward, Down"wards
Part of Speech : adv.
Etymology : [AS. ad. See Down, adv., and - ward.]
Definition : 1. From a higher place to a lower; in a descending course; as, to tend, move, roll, look, or take root, downward or downwards. "Looking downwards." Pope. Their heads they downward bent. Drayton.

2. From a higher to a lower condition; toward misery, humility, disgrace, or ruin. And downward fell into a groveling swine. Milton.

3. From a remote time; from an ancestor or predecessor; from one to another in a descending line. A ring the county wears, That downward hath descended in his house, From son to son, some four or five descents. Shak.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Down"ward
Part of Speech : a.
Definition : 1. Moving or extending from a higher to a lower place; tending toward the earth or its center, or toward a lower level; declivous. With downward force That drove the sand along he took his way. Dryden.

2. Descending from a head, origin, or source; as, a downward line of descent.

3. Tending to a lower condition or state; depressed; dejected; as, downward thoughts. Sir P. Sidney.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913