Down (?), n. [Akin to LG. dune, dun, Icel. d&unr_;nn, Sw. dun, Dan. duun, G. daune, cf. D. dons; perh. akin to E. dust.] 1. Fine, soft, hairy outgrowth from the skin or surface of animals or plants, not matted and fleecy like wool; esp.: (a) (Zoöl.) The soft under feathers of birds. They have short stems with soft rachis and bards and long threadlike barbules, without hooklets. (b) (Bot.) The pubescence of plants; the hairy crown or envelope of the seeds of certain plants, as of the thistle. (c) The soft hair of the face when beginning to appear.
[1913 Webster]

And the first down begins to shade his face. Dryden.
[1913 Webster]

2. That which is made of down, as a bed or pillow; that which affords ease and repose, like a bed of down
[1913 Webster]

When in the down I sink my head,
Sleep, Death's twin brother, times my breath. Tennyson.
[1913 Webster]

Thou bosom softness, down of all my cares! Southern.
[1913 Webster]

Down tree (Bot.), a tree of Central America (Ochroma Lagopus), the seeds of which are enveloped in vegetable wool.
[1913 Webster]

Down, n. [OE. dun, doun, AS. dūn; of Celtic origin; cf. Ir. dūn hill, fortified hill, Gael. dun heap, hillock, hill, W. din a fortified hill or mount; akin to E. town. See Town, and cf. Down, adv. & prep., Dune.] 1. A bank or rounded hillock of sand thrown up by the wind along or near the shore; a flattish-topped hill; -- usually in the plural.
[1913 Webster]

Hills afford prospects, as they must needs acknowledge who have been on the downs of Sussex. Ray.
[1913 Webster]

She went by dale, and she went by down. Tennyson.
[1913 Webster]

2. A tract of poor, sandy, undulating or hilly land near the sea, covered with fine turf which serves chiefly for the grazing of sheep; -- usually in the plural. [Eng.]
[1913 Webster]

Seven thousand broad-tailed sheep grazed on his downs. Sandys.
[1913 Webster]

3. pl. A road for shipping in the English Channel or Straits of Dover, near Deal, employed as a naval rendezvous in time of war.
[1913 Webster]

On the 11th [June, 1771] we run up the channel . . . at noon we were abreast of Dover, and about three came to an anchor in the Downs, and went ashore at Deal. Cook (First Voyage).
[1913 Webster]

4. pl. [From the adverb.] A state of depression; low state; abasement. [Colloq.]
[1913 Webster]

It the downs of life too much outnumber the ups. M. Arnold.
[1913 Webster]

Down, prep. [From Down, adv.] 1. In a descending direction along; from a higher to a lower place upon or within; at a lower place in or on; as, down a hill; down a well.
[1913 Webster]

2. Hence: Towards the mouth of a river; towards the sea; as, to sail or swim down a stream; to sail down the sound.
[1913 Webster]

Down the country, toward the sea, or toward the part where rivers discharge their waters into the ocean. -- Down the sound, in the direction of the ebbing tide; toward the sea.
[1913 Webster]

Down, v. i. To go down; to descend. Locke.
[1913 Webster]