pulldown

[ pool-doun ]

noun

, Movies.

1. a mechanism that intermittently advances the film through the film gate of a camera or projector.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pulldown¹

First recorded in 1950–55; noun use of verb phrase pull down

Example Sentences

As the continents continue to squeeze together, the oceanic crust is eventually replaced by continental crust, the source of the pulldown signal.

From Science Daily

The big surprise to us was the energy pulldown.

From Reuters

A: Since pullout and pulldown kitchen faucet styles have became popular, sprayhead technology has really taken off.

From Seattle Times

The standard spray pattern for most pullout/pulldown kitchen faucets is a “ring” spray, and you can upgrade from there with setting options.

From Seattle Times

She told the inquest that Miss Evans had opened the pulldown window and leant her head out very slightly for about 30 seconds, before Miss Roper put her head out.

From BBC

More About Pull-down

What does pull-down mean?

Pull-down describes something that you tug from a higher to lower position, as in Pull-down menus on mobile phones can be so tiny that they’re hard to use.

The adjective pull-down comes from the verb phrase pull down, while pulldown is the mechanism that allows you to pull something down.

Example: This house has a pull-down bed to save space for furniture.

Where does pull-down come from?

The first records of the term pull-down come from the early 1900s. It combines the words pull, meaning “draw or tug with force,” and down, meaning “from higher to lower.”

Pull-down can describe many items that are pulled down to use. Pull-down beds, or Murphy beds, can be stored standing up in a closet or cabinet. By tugging on a mechanism, like a latch or one of the bed legs, you can pull the bed down to the floor to sleep on it.  Other objects that pulled down to use include window blinds, leaves (extensions) in tables or desks, and staircases that lead up to an attic.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to pull-down?

• pulldown (noun)
• pull down (verb)

What are some words that share a root or word element with pull-down? 

• pull
• down

What are some words that often get used in discussing pull-down?

• bed
• menu
• drawer
• shades
• latch

What are some words pull-down may be commonly confused with?

• pulldown
• pull down

How is pull-down used in real life?

Pull-down is frequently used to describe a type of menu in computing software.

I'm putting the pull down bed in our study on airbnb and will take US dollars (if they're worth anything by the end of the night)

— Mark Crysell (@MarkCrysell) November 9, 2016

I hate all the round icons 😂 and the hideous pull-down menu

— Katie 🐾 (@whalegirlkatie) November 6, 2021

Can I tell you something I am really bad at?

Pull down blinds.

I swear to god that is a skillset unto it's self.

— Sarah-Jane Price (@itssjpbaby) February 19, 2020

 

 

Try using pull-down!

Is pull-down used correctly in the following sentence?

Just pull-down the blinds if it’s too bright for you.