downer

[dou-ner] /ˈdaʊ nər/
noun
1.
Informal.
  1. a depressant or sedative drug, especially a barbiturate.
  2. a depressing experience, person, or situation.
2.
Animal Husbandry. an old or diseased animal, especially one that cannot stand up.
Origin
1910-15, Americanism, for an earlier sense; 1965-70, for def 1; down1 + -er1
British Dictionary definitions for downer

downer

/ˈdaʊnə/
noun (slang)
1.
Also called down. a barbiturate, tranquillizer, or narcotic Compare upper
2.
a depressing experience
3.
a state of depression: he's on a downer today
Word Origin and History for downer
n.

1966 in sense of "barbiturate;" 1970 in sense of "depressing person;" agent noun from down (v.).

downer in Medicine

downer down·er (dou'nər)
n.
A depressant or sedative drug, such as a barbiturate or tranquilizer.

Slang definitions & phrases for downer

downer

noun
  1. A depressant drug, esp a barbiturate; sedative; down (1950s+ Narcotics)
  2. A depressing experience; bad trip, bummer, drag: The opening scene's a downer (1960s+ Narcotics)