Mawson, C.O.S., ed. (1870–1938). Roget’s International Thesaurus. 1922.
Class II. Words Relating to SpaceSection IV. Motion
4. Motion with Reference to Direction
306. [Motion Downwards.] Descent.
NOUN:DESCENT, descension [rare], inclination, declension, declination; decurrence [rare], downcome, comedown, downcast, setback, fall; falling &c. v.; slump [colloq.], drop, cadence; subsidence, lapse; downfall, tumble, slip, tilt, trip, lurch; culbute [F.], titubation, stumble; fate of -Icarus, – Phaëthon, – Lucifer.AVALANCHE, debacle, débâcle [F.], landslip [Eng.], landslide [U. S.], slide, snowslip, snowslide, glissade.
DECLIVITY, dip, decline, pitch, drop, down-grade.
ELEVATOR [See Elevation].
STAIRWAY [See Ascent].
VERB:DESCEND; go -, drop -, comedown; fall, gravitate, drop, slip, slide, settle; decline, set, sink, droop, come down a peg [colloq.], slump [colloq.].
GET DOWN, dismount, alight, light; swoop, souse; stoop [See Depression]; fall prostrate, precipitate oneself; let fall [See Depression].
TUMBLE, trip, stumble, titubate [rare], lurch, pitch, swag, topple; topple -, tumble- -down, – over; tilt, sprawl, plump, plump down; come -, fall -, get- a cropper [colloq. or slang].
ADJECTIVE:STEEP, sloping, declivitous, declivous; beetling (high) [See Height]; bottomless (deep) [See Depth].
DESCENDING &c. v.; down, downcast; descendent; decurrent, decursive; labent [rare], deciduous; nodding to its fall.
ADVERB:DOWNWARD or downwards, downhill.
QUOTATION:From morn To noon he fell, from noon to dewy eve.—Milton