Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Perpendicular; downright: specifically applied to a heavy fall of rain.
  • Downright; direct; plain; flat: as, an even-down lie.
  • Mere; sheer.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • All in the sound of a high wind, broken now and then with a rain blattering even-down, and soaking through tartan and _clo-dubh_ we at it for dear life.

    John Splendid The Tale of a Poor Gentleman, and the Little Wars of Lorn Neil Munro

  • For good, even-down tackling, and hard work, both in heading and clean kicking, Keir was one of the very best men who ever played football.

    Scottish Football Reminiscences and Sketches David Drummond Bone

  • "Ou, ay, a better girl ne'er broke her cake; but folks said this, and that, and to tell the even-down truth, they put your ain name, sir, wi 'hers -- and what but shame could come o' your name and her name in the same breath?"

    A Daughter of Fife Amelia Edith Huddleston Barr 1875

  • All that I have set down concerning myself, the reader may take on credit as open and even-down truth; but as to whether Taffy's master's nick-nackets be true or false, every one is at liberty, in this free country, to think for himself.

    The Life of Mansie Wauch tailor in Dalkeith David Macbeth Moir 1824

  • No weather can reach such cattle: it may be a storm of snow twenty feet deep, or an even-down pour of rain, washing the very cats off the house tops; when a weaver is shivering at his loom, with not a drop of blood at his finger nails, and

    The Life of Mansie Wauch tailor in Dalkeith David Macbeth Moir 1824

  • Almost on the entrance of the last of the group came down the deluge in one broad sheet, an "even-down pour," so loud and terrible, accompanied by a burst of hail, that they were threatened with an immediate invasion of their citadel through several crevices in both roof and windows.

    Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 2 (of 2) John Roby 1821

  • Rain -- rain -- rain -- an even-down pour of rain, that forces upon you visions of Noah and his ark, and the top of Mount Ararat -- still, we beseech you, be happy.

    Recreations of Christopher North, Volume 2 John Wilson 1819

  • As for the interment, there was nothing but even-down wastrie -- wax-candles blowing away in the wind, and flunkies as fou as pipers, and an unreverent mob that scarsely could demean themselves with decency as the body was going by; only the Duke of York, who carrit the head, had on no hat, which I think was the newest identical thing in the affair: but really there was nothing that could be recommended.

    The Ayrshire Legatees, or, the Pringle family John Galt 1809

  • In the praying part, what he said was no objectionable as to the matter; but he drawled in his manner to such a pitch, that I thought he would have broken out into an even-down song, as I sometimes think of yourself when you spin out the last word in reading out the line in a warm summer afternoon.

    The Ayrshire Legatees, or, the Pringle family John Galt 1809

  • "The rain now condescended in even-down torrents, and thunder succeeded thunder in deep and terrific peals, whilst the roar of the gigantic echoes that deepened and reverberated among the glens and hollows,

    The Ned M'Keown Stories Traits And Stories Of The Irish Peasantry, The Works of William Carleton, Volume Three William Carleton 1831

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