Main Entry:

¹down

Pronunciation:

\ˈdau̇n\

Function:

adverb

Etymology:

Middle English doun, from Old English dūne, short for adūne, of dūne, from a- (from of), of off, from + dūne, dative of dūn 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 series5 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 prominence8: 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>