The first and strongest beat of a musical measure, which a conductor indicates with a downward hand motion; also, a pessimistic or gloomy mood or outlook.
From 'down' (the conductor's hand moving downward) plus 'beat' (the rhythmic pulse); the pessimistic meaning developed from the idea that 'down' equals negative or depressing.
Musicians and economists use the same word for completely opposite reasons—one is about music fundamentals while the other describes gloomy economic forecasts! The connection shows how our bodies and physical gestures literally shape the words we use to describe emotion.
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