downstroke \ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\noun 1.: a stroke (as of a piston in a cylinder or of a conductor's baton) made in a downward direction 2. a.: a stroke (as of a handwritten cursive letter) commonly written in a downward direction and in some styles heavier than an upstroke b.: a corresponding stroke of a printed letter