Completely, thoroughly, or absolutely; used for emphasis. As an adjective, means plain, straightforward, or unambiguous.
Compound of 'down' and 'right,' originally meaning 'straight down' in Middle English. Evolved to mean 'thoroughly' or 'completely' by the 16th century, emphasizing the directness of descent without deviation.
This word captures the satisfying finality of something falling straight down without obstruction. Its evolution from literal vertical movement to emphatic completeness mirrors how we often use spatial metaphors to express certainty and thoroughness.
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