Definition of Bear down

1. Verb. Exert a force with a heavy weight. "The snow bore down on the roof"

Exact synonyms: Bear Down On, Drag Down, Press Down On, Weigh Down
Generic synonyms: Press

2. Verb. Contract the abdominal muscles during childbirth to ease delivery.
Exact synonyms: Overbear
Generic synonyms: Compact, Compress, Constrict, Contract, Press, Squeeze

3. Verb. To make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle. "He saw Jess charging at him with a pitchfork"
Exact synonyms: Charge
Generic synonyms: Rush
Derivative terms: Charge, Charger

4. Verb. Exert full strength. "The pitcher bore down"
Category relationships: Baseball, Baseball Game
Generic synonyms: Contend, Fight, Struggle

5. Verb. Pay special attention to. "The lectures bore down on the political background"

6. Verb. Exert a force or cause a strain upon. "This tax bears down on the lower middle class"
Generic synonyms: Burden, Charge, Saddle

Definition of Bear down

1. Verb. (&lit bear down) ¹

2. Verb. (nautical) To approach from windward. ¹

3. Verb. To push (someone) to the ground; to defeat, overcome. (defdate from 14th c.) ¹

4. Verb. (obsolete) To maintain one's position against (someone) in a debate; to stand one's ground against. (defdate 16th-17th c.) ¹

5. Verb. To intensify one's efforts ¹

6. Verb. (intransitive) (with '''on''') To approach in a determined manner. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Bear Down

bear's breech
bear's breeches
bear's ear
bear's foot
bear's garlic
bear's grape
bear-a-hand
bear-whelp
bear a hand
bear away
bear cat
bear claw
bear claws
bear cub
bear cubs
bear down
bear down on
bear down upon
bear false witness
bear fruit
bear hug
bear hugs
bear in mind
bear in with
bear market
bear markets
bear oak
bear off
bear off from

Literary usage of Bear down

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. An exposition of the Creed by John Pearson, Edward Burton (1847)
"... them were sufficient to bear down the force of our reason, the rest would be superfluous. First, They answer that it cannot be collected from hence that ..."

2. Obstetrics: The Science and the Art by Charles Delucena Meigs (1856)
"Women cannot bear down, at the very beginning of labor. Bearing-down means an effort to expel, by contracting the muscles of the belly ; but when the womb ..."

3. The Diary of William Pynchon of Salem: A Picture of Salem Life, Social and by William Pynchon, Fitch Edward Oliver (1890)
"The day for Lang and the Doctor; mark the end of it; the rabble bear down the Dr. and his cause, and shout at everything said to his prejudice. ..."

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