downer

views updated May 18 2018

down·er / ˈdounər/ • n. inf. 1. (usu. downers) a depressant or tranquilizing drug, esp. a barbiturate.2. a dispiriting or depressing experience or factor: the thought of the danger his son was in put something of a downer on the situation. ∎  a period of consistent failure: the Red Sox enter the season on a downer.3. a cow or other animal that is sick or injured and cannot get to its feet unaided.

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