Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DOWN'FALL, n.

1. A falling, or body of things falling; as, the downfall of a flood. – Dryden.
2. Ruin; destruction; a sudden fall, or ruin by violence, in distinction from slow decay or declension; as, the downfall of the Roman empire, occasioned by the conquests of the Northern nations; the downfall of a city.
3. The sudden fall, depression or ruin of reputation or estate. We speak of the downfall of pride or glory, and of distinguished characters.