fallen — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Having dropped by the force of gravity.

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • usually

   Examples

   fallen raindrops

2. Killed, especially in battle.

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • usually

   Examples

   a ceremony to honor fallen soldiers

   the disposal of fallen livestock

   More examples (1)

   We will face the problems of peace with the same courage that we have faced and mastered the problems of war. In the memory of those that have made the supreme sacrifice, in the memory of our fallen president, we shall not fail.

3. Having lost one's chastity.

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • usually

   Examples

   a fallen woman

   More examples (2)

   Madam Julia was the town's ranking prostitute; virtuous female society demanded that they not suffer the unbearable pain of looking at, and being in company with, a fallen woman— one of the happiest, fallenest women in history, by the way.

   "You make yourself out to be the fallenest of fallen women." Tilting her head toward Sharon, Debbie grinned. "Let's face it. There can't be winners without losers, and I'm a loser. But look at it this way. I make it possible for some other woman[…]

4. Having collapsed.

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • usually

   Examples

   a fallen building

5. Having lost prestige, (Christian) grace, etc.

   Usage

   • not-comparable
   • usually

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   That fallenest of our fallen race has left town — said to be near Fontainebleau by some, in Italy by others. More consequent with himself than usual, he is fulfilling, in the only possible way left open to him, his promise […]

Noun

1. The dead.

   Usage

   • plural
   • Plural only

2. Casualties of battle or war.

   Usage

   • plural
   • Plural only

3. One who has fallen, as from grace.

   Usage

   • Countable

   Examples

   In the Augustinian period, however, sin was held to be a death-inflicting agent, implying that the fallen was dead, and had to be restored to life.

Adjective

1. having dropped by the force of gravity

   Examples

   fallen leaves covered the forest floor

   sat on a fallen tree trunk

2. having fallen in or collapsed

   Examples

   a fallen building

3. having lost your chastity

   Examples

   a fallen woman

4. killed in battle

   Examples

   to honor fallen soldiers