downtrodadj.
/ˈdaʊntrɒd/, U.S. /ˈdaʊnˌtrɑd/ Now somewhat rare.
Kept in a position of subjection and hardship; oppressed, downtrodden. Also: that has been trodden down; trampled underfoot.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > [adjective] > suppressed
to-bentc1401
suppressed1536
trodden1545
quailed1567
overtroddena1586
underfoot1594
undertrodden1594
downtrodden1597
downtrod1598
low-broughta1599
silenced1609
overborne1611
crusheda1616
trod1638
run-down1683
trampleda1764
overtrampled1827
sat-upon1873
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 i. iii. 133 I will lift the down-trod [Folios downfall, downfaln] Mortimer. View more context for this quotation
1608 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. (new ed.) ii. iv. 26 Hee..Wholly extirps the down-trod Iebusite.
1648 Verses in Honour of Iudge Ienkin 8 Then thou (grave Judge)..Didst take in hand the right supporting quill, Of Englands down-trod Statutes.
1749 J. Cleland Mem. Woman of Pleasure II. 122 Like a cock clapping his wings over his down trod mistress.
1855 Harper's Mag. July 203/2 The poor peasant and the down-trod laborer are set to perform the hardest task ever imposed upon man.
1884 C. N. Holford Cofachiqui 30 All the down-trod grass is wet With tears of dew.
1906 N.Y. Times 25 Dec. 9/4 (heading) He, and the fair-to-look-upon actress rescue a downtrod newsboy.
1960 Daily Telegram (Eau Claire, Wisconsin) 8 Dec. 6/1 These downtrod places which seem to be so vital to our foreign giveaway budget.
2017 Mirror (Univ. Northern Colorado) (Nexis) 15 Apr. (Arts section) 1 The unemployed, downtrod men and women wandering the streets or plains during the Depression.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1598