Downward \Down"ward\, Downwards \Down"wards\, adv. [AS. ad?nweard. See Down, adv., and -ward.]

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 Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Downward \Down"ward\, a.

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 Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)