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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

downface en · ADJ

Etymology

From down + face.

Meanings

  1. Having or on a downward oriented face.
    • The only downface double pressure block ma- chine made, is the DeArmon-McKinney Double Pressure Machine 1909, The Cement Era - Volume 7, page 334:
    • The stripper mold box may be removed from the base and the downface block attachment can be added in a short time, it is stated. 1931, Harvey Whipple, Concrete - Volumes 38-39, page 49:
    • The salient advantages of the downface method show that the pioneer features in block machines have been cleared away and that the device is able to mold cement into natural aspects and on structural and durable lines 1904, Cement and Engineering News - Volumes 16-19, page 171:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
most downface Degree=Sup lexicographic
more downface Degree=Cmp lexicographic

downface en · ADV

Etymology

From down + face.

Meanings

  1. Further down the face.
    • Sampling stations have been designated intake, maingate, 100 feet downface, and tailgate (fig. 4). 1974, Bureau of Mines Report of Investigations:
    • Also Mr. Warren was working downface. After making his last bar secure he shifted the overhanging coal, keeping himself and others safe. 1952, Coal; the NCB Magazine - Volume 6, page 30:
    • Ground water seepage along face and base of cliff below houses built along top with surface runoff scars visible downface of cliff. 1984, San Diego Coastal State Park System General Plan:
  2. Facing downwards.
    • ABRAHAM (turning ISAAC over facedown): Therefore downface thou shall be laid, Then when I strike thou shall not see. 1988, Robert Cohen, Eight Plays For Theatre, page 67:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
more downface Degree=Cmp lexicographic
most downface Degree=Sup lexicographic

downface en · NOUN

Etymology

From down + face.

Meanings

  1. A profile characterized by a downward sloping muzzle.
    • However, good breeding of dogs with "fill" below the eyes and "downface" together with development of the prick ear, slowly restored the breed to favor. 1976, John T. Marvin, The book of all terriers, page 120:
    • Nevertheless, since the downface is so desirable, some little extra credit should be given when it appears to perfection, because it is also one of the harder points to obtain in breeding, and the dog with it should go over the dog that has not got it, even if the second dog is better in body; yet the line of demarcation has to be carefully drawn, for if undue weight be attached to the downface there is the danger that it will be the insertion of the thin end of the wedge, and bodies will become somewhat neglected. 2013, T. W. Hogarth, The Bull-Terrier:
    • In my opinion, the prevalence of the downface (or bucket head, as described by Australian breeder- judge Anne Sorraghan) in the breed is a tremendous threat to correct Airedale type. 2003, AKC Gazette - Volume 120, page 78:
  2. The face that is oriented downward.
    • Windows in the downface of the hexagon provide light and a view along with privacy and shade in the east-facing building. 2003, Catherine W. Bishir, Michael T. Southern, A Guide to the Historic Architecture of Piedmont, North Carolina:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
downfaces Number=Plur lexicographic

downface en · VERB

Etymology

From down + face.

Meanings

  1. (archaic, rare, transitive) To persist in an assertion in the face of opposition.
    • The fact is that Gladstone exaggerated or minimised the role of fenianism depending on what line of opposing argument he was endeavouring to downface at any particular time. 1998, R. V. Comerford, The Fenians in Context: Irish Politics and Society, 1848-82, page 152:
    • Mr Kenmis, this lady at a very great risk to herself has had the courage to downface me in my office and show me that an injustice has been done. 1960, Denis Johnston, The moon in the yellow river. The dreaming dust., page 87:
    • He will not admit anything, and downfaces everybody. If he can't out-argue them he bullies them, and then takes their silence for agreement with his views. 1897, Bram Stoker, “Mina Murray’s Journal”, in Dracula, New York, N.Y.: Modern Library, →OCLC, chapter VI, page 71:
    • Didn't I tell you? As true as I'm drinking this porter if he was at his last gasp he'd try to downface you that dying was living. 1922 February 2, James Joyce, “[Episode 12: The Cyclops]”, in Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company […], →OCLC, part II [Odyssey], page 316:
  2. (transitive) To disparage; to cause to lose face.
    • For a student to downface and humiliate the Premier in a televised debate, to speak to him as a rather high-handed superior might a junior, as Wuerkaixi did to Li Peng on May 19, was very brave, but also unwise and flatly contradictory to Chinese culture. 1989, Colin Mackerras, Kevin B. Bucknall, Russell B. Trood, The Beijing tragedy: implications for China and Australia, page 32:
    • My feelings had taken over, elation at having been able to downface the silly woman, but anger at her naked, arrogant anti-Semitism. 2001, David Marcus, Oughtobiography: leaves from the diary of a hyphenated Jew, page 77:
    • Shucks, I didn't want fer them furriners to downface me and, sartin sure, didn't want my kinspeople to be shamed afore them. 1958, June E. Reed, Jest Olga, page 13:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
downfaced Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
downfaced Tense=Past lexicographic
downfaces Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
downfacing Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic