downdrift

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noun

A lowering (over time) of the pitch of the tones of a tonal language.

“A groyne promotes the build-up of sediment on its updrift side, and reduces erosion on the downdrift side.”

Scrabble 17
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Meanings

noundowndrift (plural downdrifts)

plural downdrifts

  1. human sciencesA lowering (over time) of the pitch of the tones of a tonal language.
adverbdowndrift (not comparable)
  1. not comparableOn the downward side of a drift.

    A groyne promotes the build-up of sediment on its updrift side, and reduces erosion on the downdrift side.

Origin

From down- + drift.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Spanish disminución general de la frecuencia acústica
  • disminución general de la frecuencia acústicaTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

downdrift. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/downdrift

MLA

“downdrift.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/downdrift. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “downdrift,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/downdrift.

Source: downdrift on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.