{ } adv. [ AS. ad&unr_;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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Their heads they downward bent. Drayton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. From a higher to a lower condition; toward misery, humility, disgrace, or ruin. [ 1913 Webster ]

And downward fell into a groveling swine. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. From a remote time; from an ancestor or predecessor; from one to another in a descending line. [ 1913 Webster ]

A ring the county wears,
That downward hath descended in his house,
From son to son, some four or five descents. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]