subs. (old).—1.  A sixpence. In U.S.A., a five-cent. piece. [Cf., DEANER (q.v.); now corrupted into TANNER (q.v.).] For synonyms, see BENDER.

1

  1857.  SNOWDEN, Magistrates Assistant, 3rd ed., p. 444. Sixpence, DOWNER, also sprat.

2

  1861.  WHYTE-MELVILLE, Good for Nothing, ch. vi. It’s not the first DOWNER I’ve had by a good many; and if it was not for leaving you I shouldn’t care so much about it!

3

  1885.  Household Words, 20 June, p. 155. Two more names for a sixpence are a DOWNER and a ‘tanner,’

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  2.  (pugilistic).—A knock-down blow. Cf., BENDER, DOUBLER, and DIG, for synonyms.

5

  1819.  T. MOORE, Tom Crib’s Memorial to Congress, p. 25. In the Twelfth and Last Round Sandy fetch’d him a DOWNER.

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