In a downward direction or manner; moving, pointing, or progressing toward a lower level or position.
From 'downward' (from 'down' plus the directional suffix '-ward,' from Old English 'weard') plus the adverbial suffix '-ly' (Old English '-lice'). The term describes motion or direction toward lower positions.
Phrases like 'downwardly mobile' completely inverted this word's meaning—it went from describing simple physical direction to describing social *failure*. Language absorbed economic anxiety into geography.
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