read down

/riːd daʊn/

phrasal verb

Origin

English

read + down — To scan or interpret from a higher position to a lower one.

Overview

Meaning Now

To read through a list, text, or column from top to bottom.
To express disapproval or criticism of something in a formal or thorough manner.
To decrease a computer file's or database's data during a read operation (computing).

Language path

Proto-Germanic → Old English → Middle English → English

Earliest form

read down

Earliest period

19th century

Journey

The phrasal verb 'read down' originated from the practical act of scanning columns or lists in printed documents. In the 20th century, the term was adopted into technical contexts to describe the sequential extraction of data, and colloquially, to 'read someone down' became a metaphor for subjecting someone to an intense, critical review.

Evolution

Proto-Germanic
*rēdaną
“to advise, deliberate, or interpret”
Old English
rædan
“to read, interpret, or advise”
Middle English
reden
“to read aloud or interpret”
Modern English
read down
“to read through or criticize”
Addition of the adverbial particle 'down' to imply sequential reading or reduction.

Connections

Word parts

read

root

to look at and interpret written symbols

down

other

from a higher point to a lower point

Related across languages

German
reden
to speak/talk
Dutch
raden
to advise/guess