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downcast (adj.)

c. 1600, "ruined, destroyed," from past participle of obsolete verb downcast "to overthrow, demolish" (c. 1300), from down (adv.) + cast (v.). Figurative sense of "dejected" is by 1630s, probably from the notion of having the eyes directed downward.

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Definitions of downcast from WordNet
1
downcast (adj.)
filled with melancholy and despondency;
downcast after his defeat
Synonyms: gloomy / grim / blue / depressed / dispirited / down / downhearted / down in the mouth / low / low-spirited
downcast (adj.)
directed downward;
a downcast glance
2
downcast (n.)
a ventilation shaft through which air enters a mine;
From wordnet.princeton.edu