Pronunciation: [dˈa͡ʊnd] (IPA) 
The word "downed" is spelled with a conflation of two sounds - /daʊn/ and /dɪd/. It is commonly used to describe something that has been brought down or defeated. The first portion of the word, "down," is pronounced with the same sound as the word "town," and the second portion, "ed," is pronounced with the sound of the letter "d." When spoken together, they create the word "downed," which has a tense and final sound.
Downed is an adjective formed from the verb "down." It refers to something that has been brought down or is in a lowered position, usually by force or gravity. The term can be used in various contexts, including physical actions, sports, and aviation.
In a physical sense, downed can describe an object or a person that has fallen, collapsed, or been knocked to the ground. For example, a downed tree refers to a tree that has been felled or fallen due to external forces, such as strong winds or deliberate cutting. Similarly, a downed cyclist would denote an individual who has fallen off their bicycle.
In the realm of sports, downed is often associated with American football, where it signifies the act of a player touching the ground with a part of their body, typically a knee, while in possession of the ball. This action marks the end of a play in which forward progress is halted, generally leading to the start of the next down.
Furthermore, in aviation terminology, downed planes or downed aircraft are planes that have crashed or landed unexpectedly, usually due to mechanical failure, adverse weather conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Overall, downed can describe objects, people, or aircraft that have been brought down, fallen, or moved to a lower level, playing a crucial role in expressing specific situations and events.
The word "downed" is derived from the verb "down", which ultimately comes from the Old English word "dūn", meaning "hill" or "mountain". Over time, "down" extended its meaning to refer to a soft, fluffy material found on birds, specifically from the small feathers of the underbelly. This usage of "down" eventually gave rise to the verb form "down", meaning to pluck feathers or remove feathers from a bird. Hence, "downed" refers to the act of shooting down or bringing down an aircraft, figuratively suggesting the idea of feathers falling from a bird when it is downed.
