DOWNFALL • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Downfall

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/dˈaʊnfˌɔl/ Listen

noun

Downfall n.

A sudden fall; a body of things falling. "Those cataracts or downfalls aforesaid." "Each downfall of a flood the mountains pour."

A sudden descent from rank or state, reputation or happiness; destruction; ruin; as, the senator's unrestrained sexual escapades led to his downfall. "Dire were the consequences which would follow the downfall of so important a place."

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Etymology of 'Downfall'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Downfall" Quotes from Famous Books

... country, and sincerely hope for the downfall of her enemies," she answered soberly, "I do not delight in suffering. Were you in that terrible cavalry charge? They tell me scarcely a ...

— My Lady of the North • Randall Parrish

... Venetian chronicler, reports: "When this news reached Venice the whole city felt it greatly, and remained stupefied, and the wisest held it as the worst news that had ever arrived"—as indeed they might, for it prophesied the downfall of the Venetian Empire. The Sultan of Egypt was equally moved, for the greatest source of his riches was derived from the duty of five per cent. which he levied on all merchandise entering his dominions, ...

— The Story of Geographical Discovery - How the World Became Known • Joseph Jacobs

... all true—this was the war time—he was badly wounded, and his enemy, Scarlett Markham, the young Cavalier, was bending over him in mocking triumph at his downfall, and revenging himself for the insult he had received in the loss of ...

— Crown and Sceptre - A West Country Story • George Manville Fenn

... attracts the eye. The contrast between the mass of architecture and the free and glowing country beyond is not without meaning, and a broken Roman torso, lying neglected on the ground, symbolises the downfall of the Pagan Empire. The flight of steps, with the figure sitting below them, is an idea borrowed from Carpaccio, and perhaps taken by him from the sketch-book of Jacopo Bellini. The men on the left are portraits of members and patrons of the confraternity. Most Titianesque are the beautiful women ...

— The Venetian School of Painting • Evelyn March Phillipps

... the temptations of the flesh, my children," said the priest. "The Evil One is very subtle, and not only in our moments of pride and prosperity, but also in our hours of sorrow and affliction, he is for ever waiting and watching to betray us to our downfall and damnation." ...

— The Woman Thou Gavest Me - Being the Story of Mary O'Neill • Hall Caine

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