Part 509

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.

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.

Down"weed` (?), n. (Bot.) Cudweed, a species of Gnaphalium.

Down`weigh" (-w"), v. t. To weigh or press down.

A different sin downweighs them to the bottom.

Longfellow.

Down"y (-), a. 1. Covered with down, or with pubescence or soft hairs. "A downy feather." Shak.

Plants that . . . have downy or velvet rind upon their leaves.

Bacon.

2. Made of, or resembling, down. Hence, figuratively: Soft; placid; soothing; quiet. "A downy shower." Keble. "Downy pillow." Pope.

Time steals on with downy feet.

Young.

3. Cunning; wary. [Slang, Eng.] Latham.

Dow"ral (?), a. Of or relating to a dower. [R.]

Dow"ress, n. A woman entitled to dower. Bouvier.

Dow"ry (?), n.; pl. Dowries (#). [Contr. from dowery; cf. LL. dotarium. See Dower.] 1. A gift; endowment. [Obs.] Spenser.

2. The money, goods, or estate, which a woman brings to her husband in marriage; a bride's portion on her marriage. See Note under Dower. Shak. Dryden.

3. A gift or presents for the bride, on espousal. See Dower.

Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give . . .; but give me the damsel to wife.

Gen. xxxiv. 12.

Dowse (?), v. t. [Cf. 1st Douse.] 1. To plunge, or duck into water; to immerse; to douse.