{ 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.