DOWD, a woman’s nightcap.—_Devonshire_; also an _American_ term;
possibly from DOWDY, a slatternly woman.
DOWN, to be aware of, or awake to, any move—in this meaning,
synonymous with UP; “DOWN upon one’s luck,” unfortunate; “DOWN in the
mouth,” disconsolate; “to be DOWN on one,” to treat him harshly or
suspiciously, to pounce upon him, or detect his tricks.
DOWN THE DOLLY, a favourite gambling contrivance, often seen in the
tap rooms of public houses, at race-courses, and fairs, consisting of
a round board and the figure of an old man or “doll,” down which is a
spiral hole. A marble is dropped “down the dolly,” and stops in one of
the small holes or pits (numbered) on the board. The bet is decided
according as the marble stops on a high or low figure.
DOWN THE ROAD, stylish, showy, after the fashion.
DOWNER, a sixpence; apparently the _Gipsey_ word, TAWNO, “little one,”
in course of metamorphosis into the more usual “_tanner_.”
DOWNS, Tothill Fields’ prison.
DOWNY, knowing or cunning; “a DOWNY COVE,” a knowing or experienced
sharper.
DOWRY, a lot, a great deal; “DOWRY of parny,” lot of rain or
water.—_See_ PARNY. Probably from the _Gipsey_.
DOXY, the female companion of a thief or beggar. In the West of
England, the women frequently call their little girls DOXIES, in
a familiar or endearing sense. A learned divine once described
_orthodoxy_ as being a man’s own DOXY, and _heterodoxy_ another man’s
DOXY.—_Ancient cant._