downbeat

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English

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Etymology 1

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From down +‎ beat.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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downbeat (plural downbeats)

  1. (music) The accented beat at the beginning of a bar (indicated by a conductor with a downward stroke).
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Translations
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Etymology 2

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Earlier downbeaten, from the phrasal verb beat down

Pronunciation

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Adjective

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downbeat (comparative more downbeat, superlative most downbeat)

  1. Sad or pessimistic.
    He sounded downbeat when asked about his future plans.
  2. Cautiously optimistic.
    She carried herself with a quiet downbeat grace.
Antonyms
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Translations
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Anagrams

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