{ Down"ward (?), 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.

2. From a higher to a lower condition; toward misery, humility, disgrace, or ruin.

And downward fell into a groveling swine.

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.

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.

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.

• toward a lower level, either in space or in a hierarchy or an amount
       His position in society moved ever downward.
  
• moving or sloping down
       He spoke with a downward glance.