downcast
downcast Lexical Profile
downcast Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Feeling despondent, discouraged, or low in spirits.
"The players looked visibly downcast after losing the championship match in the final seconds."
(especially of a person's eyes or gaze) Directed downward toward the ground, typically as a sign of modesty, sadness, or shame.
"She stood quietly in the hallway with downcast eyes while listening to the principal's reprimand."
• noun
A ventilation shaft in a mine through which fresh air is drawn downward from the surface into the underground workings.
"Engineers inspected the main downcast to ensure fresh air was circulating properly throughout the lower coal seams."
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in Middle English as a compound of 'down' and the past participle of 'cast' (from Old Norse 'kasta', meaning to throw), originally referring literally to something thrown down or eyes directed toward the ground.