downwithadv.adj.prep.n.
/ˌdaʊnˈwɪθ/, /ˌdaʊnˈwɪð/, U.S. /ˌdaʊnˈwɪθ/, Scottish English /ˌdʌʊnˈwɪθ/, /ˌdʌʊnˈwɪð/ Chiefly Scottish.† C. prep.† D. n.
A. adv.
Scottish. In a downward course or direction; downwards. Cf. upwith adv. Now rare. Sc. National Dict. (at Doon) records this sense as still in use in Banffshire and Aberdeenshire in 1940.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > specific directions > [adverb] > in downward direction
adowneOE
netherwardsOE
shireOE
netherOE
netherOE
netherwardOE
downOE
adownwardOE
downwardslOE
downwardc1225
downhilla1398
alowc1450
downwith1488
downside1664
dahn1849
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) v. l. 301 Throuch that doun-with to Forth sadly he soucht.
1513 in J. B. Paul Accts. Treasurer Scotl. (1902) IV. 515 Tua drawyn towis to keip hir [sc. a cannon] at upwith and dounewith.
?1594 D. Monro Descr. W. Isles (1774) 31 Out of this well runs ther ane little strype downwith to the sea.
1663 ‘P. Stampoy’ Coll. Sc. Prov. 5 As meikle upwith, as meikle downwith.
1768 A. Ross Fortunate Shepherdess ii. 68 What can they do downwith they dare na budge, Their safest course is on the heights to lodge.
1897 Eng. Illustr Mag. Feb. 629/2 Look yonder,..juist whaur the road tak's the turn doonwith again.
B. adj.
Scottish. Leading or directed downwards; descending. Cf. upwith adj. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > [adjective]
descendantc1429
downwith1488
downward1552
vailinga1639
down1642
descending1700
dipping1817
downcoming1922
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) x. l. 217 A doun-with waill the Sothroun to thaim had.
1808–25 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. (at cited word) Downwith, descending, as, a downwith road, opposed to an acclivity.
1966 Sc. Forestry 20 122 The swippert breeshle o your doonwith dook.
Scottish. From a higher to a lower part of; = down prep. 2. Cf. upwith prep. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) viii. iv. l. 118 As it [sc. a rock] stud on schor sweyand that tyde, Down with the bank towart the watir syde, Hercules it smytis.
Chiefly Scottish and Irish English (northern). A downward slope or incline; a downward course. Also in to the downwith: downwards. Cf. upwith n. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > inclination > [noun] > inclination from the level or slope > downwards
fall1538
downwith1593
declining1601
devexity1601
devex1627
declension1640
proneness1686
dip1708
versant1859
1593 G. Markham Disc. Horsmanshippe iv. sig. I4 Yet if it [sc. your course] haue as we tearme them, either inwithes, vpwithes or downwithes, that is, either running within the side of a hil, climbing vp a hil, or desending down a hil, it much auaileth.
1622 W. Scot Course Conformitie sig. C2 The course once inclining to the dounwith and growing calme, men fell away by heaps.
1634 in W. Stevenson Presbyterie Bk. Kirkcaldie (1900) 77 Then he kest hir doune among the malte and laid hir head to the downwith.
1824 J. Mactaggart Sc. Gallovidian Encycl. 180 Dounwoth, a declivity.
a1870 W. Lutton Montiaghisms (2007) 16 Down-with, a declivity; a precipice.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.adj.prep.n.1488