Downthrust

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A force or pressure directed downward applied to push or press something lower
2. A downward-directed force exerted on an object to depress or compress it
3. Pressure or thrust imposed from above to force something in a downward direction

Etymology: "Downthrust" is a plain compound of "down" and "thrust," with no hidden history. "Down" comes from Old English "dūne," meaning "from a height," and "thrust" comes from Old Norse "þrýsta," meaning "to press" or "to push," which entered English in the Middle Ages. Put together, the word describes a force directed downward, the push of something bearing down on something beneath it.

Antonyms: upthrust