downthrow

[ doun-throh ]

noun

1. a throwing down or being thrown down; overthrow.

downthrow

/ ˈdaʊnˌθrəʊ /

noun

1. the state of throwing down or being thrown down
2. geology the sinking of rocks on one side of a fault plane

Word History and Origins

Origin of downthrow¹

First recorded in 1605–15; noun use of verb phrase throw down

Example Sentences

Instead of being discouraged by adverse attacks he had 212 gained new vigor from each downthrow.

From Project Gutenberg

Dikes and faults are denominated upthrow or downthrow, according to the position they are met with in working the mine.

From Project Gutenberg

Normal faults, of which Figure 184 is an example, hade to the downthrow; the hanging wall has gone down.

From Project Gutenberg

A thrust fault with a hade of 30°, showing cliffs due to harder strata outcropping on the downthrow.

From Project Gutenberg

Normal faults are exemplified in figs. 1, 2, and 6; in the latter the masses A and B are on the downthrow sides, C is upthrown.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• beating
• blow
• breakdown
• collapse
• debacle
• destruction
• drubbing
• embarrassment
• failure
• killing
• loss
• massacre
• rout
• setback
• thrashing
• triumph