Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb of a person or object In a manner such that the face, front, or surface which is normally directed forward for viewing is positioned downward.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

face + down

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Examples

  • Members of the three-person election committee keep return envelopes that bear a member's name facedown during the counting process, Wainwright said.

    Madison Record - Ann Knef 2010

  • Members of the three-person election committee keep return envelopes that bear a member's name facedown during the counting process, Wainwright said.

    Madison Record - Ann Knef 2010

  • Members of the three-person election committee keep return envelopes that bear a member's name facedown during the counting process, Wainwright said.

    Madison Record - Ann Knef 2010

  • Members of the three-person election committee keep return envelopes that bear a member's name facedown during the counting process, Wainwright said.

    Madison Record - Ann Knef 2010

  • Members of the three-person election committee keep return envelopes that bear a member's name facedown during the counting process, Wainwright said.

    Madison Record - Ann Knef 2010

  • When Lyons regained consciousness, he was lying facedown on the ground, choking, gasping for air, and spitting up blood and dirt.

    The Conservative Assault on the Constitution Erwin Chemerinsky 2010

  • I tried to and tripped, falling facedown in the water.

    Dark Secrets 2: No Time to Die the Deep End of Fear Elizabeth Chandler 2011

  • I tripped and fell facedown, splashing into the muddy ebb of the creek.

    Dark Secrets 2: No Time to Die the Deep End of Fear Elizabeth Chandler 2011

  • Luckily, our hotel was only two blocks away, and he dumped me in my room, dropping me on the bed, leaving me sprawled out, facedown.

    Fallin’ Up Steve Dennis 2011

  • He looked as if he could fall asleep facedown in his patty melt.

    How to Flirt with A Naked Werewolf Molly Harper 2011

Comments

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  • Oxford lists "face down", American Heritage shows "face-down", but this appears to be the most common spelling nowadays. (I read a lot of murder mysteries.)

    P.S. Methinks "archaic" words are still used -- "obsolete" words are the ones not used.

    May 16, 2009