Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Downwards
1.
From a higher place to a lower; in a descending course;
“Looking downwards.” as, to tend, move, roll, look, or take root,
. downward
or 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
From son to son, some four or five descents.
That
downward
hath descended in his house,From son to son, some four or five descents.
Shakespeare
Webster 1828 Edition
Downwards
DOWNWARD
, DOWNWARDS,adv.
1.
From a higher place to a lower; in a descending course, whether directly toward the center of the earth, or not; as, to tend downward; to move or roll downwards; to look downward; to take root downwards.2.
In a course or direction from a head, spring, origin or source. Water flows downward toward the sea; we sailed downward on the stream.3.
In a course of lineal descent from an ancestor, considered as a head; as, to trace successive generations downward from Adam or Abraham.4.
In the course of falling or descending from elevation or distinction.