wind-down

[ wahynd-doun ]
/ ˈwaɪndˌdaʊn /

noun

an act or instance of winding down, as in intensity: a gradual wind-down in hostilities.

Origin of wind-down

First recorded in 1965–70; noun use of the verb phrase wind down

Definition for wind down (2 of 2)

Origin of wind

2
before 900; Middle English winden, Old English windan; cognate with Dutch, German winden, Old Norse vinda, Gothic -windan; akin to wend, wander

British Dictionary definitions for wind down (1 of 4)

wind down
/ (waɪnd) /

verb (adverb)

(tr) to lower or move down by cranking
(intr) (of a clock spring) to become slack
(intr) to diminish gradually in force or power; relax

British Dictionary definitions for wind down (2 of 4)

wind 1
/ (wɪnd) /

noun

verb (tr)

Derived forms of wind

windless, adjective windlessly, adverb windlessness, noun

Word Origin for wind

Old English wind; related to Old High German wint, Old Norse vindr, Gothic winds, Latin ventus

British Dictionary definitions for wind down (3 of 4)

wind 2
/ (waɪnd) /

verb winds, winding or wound

noun

See also wind down, wind up

Derived forms of wind

windable, adjective

Word Origin for wind

Old English windan; related to Old Norse vinda, Old High German wintan (German winden)

British Dictionary definitions for wind down (4 of 4)

wind 3
/ (waɪnd) /

verb winds, winding, winded or wound

(tr) poetic to blow (a note or signal) on (a horn, bugle, etc)

Word Origin for wind

C16: special use of wind 1

Scientific definitions for wind down

wind
[ wĭnd ]

A current of air, especially a natural one that moves along or parallel to the ground, moving from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure. Surface wind is measured by anemometers or its effect on objects, such as trees. The large-scale pattern of winds on Earth is governed primarily by differences in the net solar radiation received at the Earth's surface, but it is also influenced by the Earth's rotation, by the distribution of continents and oceans, by ocean currents, and by topography. On a local scale, the differences in rate of heating and cooling of land versus bodies of water greatly affect wind formation. Prevailing global winds are classified into three major belts in the Northern Hemisphere and three corresponding belts in the Southern Hemisphere. The trade winds blow generally east to west toward a low-pressure zone at the equator throughout the region from 30° north to 30° south of the equator. The westerlies blow from west to east in the temperate mid-latitude regions (from 30° to 60° north and south of the equator), and the polar easterlies blow from east to west out of high-pressure areas in the polar regions. See also Beaufort scale chinook foehn monsoon Santa Ana.

Idioms and Phrases with wind down (1 of 2)

wind down

Diminish gradually, draw to a close, as in By midnight the party had wound down. [Mid-1900s] Also see wind up.

Idioms and Phrases with wind down (2 of 2)

wind