downspin

plural downspins · alternative down-spin

1. countableuncountableAny type of movement that goes downwards in a spiraling motion.

   Whenever the economy is in a downspin, questions invariably arise about the negative impact of undocumented immigrants on the economy.

   2001, Hayes, Helene, U.S. immigration policy and the undocumented : ambivalent laws, furtive lives, Praeger, page 2

   2 more examples

   (She climbs in the cockpit. The plane engine starts to make a definite downspin noise, as in the beginning of the play. On instinct, AE tries one last time to reach the ship. She picks up the radio:)

   1937, Laura Annawyn Shamas, Amelia Lives, A One-Act Play, The Dramatic Publishing Company, page 43

   The roundhouse. This serve is spectacular but is being used less and less in competition. It is difficult to use with any accurate and reliable consistency, and its downspin makes its flight predictable.

   1970, Peck, Wilbur H, Volleyball, Collier Collier-Macmillan, page 29

2. countablefigurativelyuncountablea downward spiral.

   With not enough money to fix her car, and no job prospects, Lilli takes a downspin less flashy than Jamie’s, but just as painful.

   1988, Maio, Kathi, Feminist in the dark : reviewing the movies, Crossing Press, page 121

   1 more example

   What had Edith said to bring about his change of mood? Maggie wondered in resignation, recognising the downspin of the emotional yo-yo once again.

   1992, Spencer, Catherine, Dear Miss Jones, Mills & Boon, page 85

present singular third person downspins · participle present downspinning · participle past downspun · past downspun · alternative down-spin

1. To go downwards in a spiraling motion.

   He rode a parachute downspinning into a different world.

   1999, Leviant, Curt, Partita in Venice : a novel, Livingston Press at The University of West Alabama, page 134

   2 more examples

   Down, forever down, with fatherlands! But if we are fallen, and our fall unique, and downspun with demolition

   1964, Palamas, Ksostses Will, Frederic, The twelve words of the gypsy, University of Nebraska Press, page 110

   The darkly comic, tragic story of London playwright Joe Orton (played by Gary Oldman of SID AND NANCY) and his husband Kenneth Halliwell (Alfred Molina) encompasses their hilarious, prickly beginnings as co-authors and jail-mates, downspinning into murder and suicide. Vanessa Redgrave appears as their theatrical agent Margaret Ramsay.

   1987, The New Fillmore Corporation, The New Fillmore, page 110