A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1420-1646
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Doun-, Down-falling, vbl. n. [ME. doun-fallinge (c 1300).] a. The act of falling down. b. Setting (of the sun); falling (of night).a. c1420 Wynt. iv. 2325.
That nane suld se Spot, fylth, or wnhoneste Behynd, in till his down fallyng 1490 Acts Lords of Council 149/2.
The hurt dampnage & scath sustenit be the said Johne & Jonet in the dovnfalling of the said bakland 1607 Acts IV. 398/2.
Sen the decay and dounfalling of the brigb. 1422 Stirlings of Keir 208.
Be-twys the ryssyng of the sonne of a day, and the down fallyng 1465 Buccleuch Mun. II. 66.
A day betuix the son rising and the doune falling of that ilk 1531 Bell. Boece II. 331.
Ane [of the comets] schane ay afore the sonne-rising, and this othir afore his downfalling 1581 Edinb. B. Rec. IV. 194.
Allegeand that in dawning and downfalling of the nicht thai suffir all forbiddin guidis … to pas furth at the portis
c. pl. Hostile incursions. 1646 Baillie II. 419.
I wes appointed to guard the low countrey from the down-fallngs of the enemie
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"Doun-falling vbl. n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 19 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/down_falling>
