downfall

== English == === Alternative forms === downfal (obsolete) === Etymology === From down- +‎ fall. In this spelling, from 16th century; spelled as two words from 13th century. === Pronunciation 1 === IPA(key): /ˈdaʊnfɔːl/ ==== Noun ==== downfall (countable and uncountable, plural downfalls) A precipitous decline in fortune; death or rapid deterioration, as in status or wealth. Synonyms: (precipitous decline in fortune) fall, (death or rapid deterioration) doom The cause of such a fall; a critical blow or error. Orson Scott Card It is the downfall of evil, that it never sees far enough ahead. An act of falling down. ===== Derived terms ===== Operation Downfall Willsons Downfall ===== Translations ===== === Pronunciation 2 === IPA(key): /daʊnˈfɔːl/ ==== Verb ==== downfall (third-person singular simple present downfalls, present participle downfalling, simple past downfell, past participle downfallen) (intransitive) To fall down; deteriorate; decline. 1998, Lithuanian physics journal: It should be noted that the magnitude of satellites decreases when tuning out of degeneracy, and in the wavelength range of 1.2-1.3 pm it downfalls to the value of 10-15% of the main spike magnitude. ===== Derived terms ===== down-fallen, downfallen === Anagrams === Wolfland, fall down, landfowl