Fallen

Part of Speech

Adjective / Past Participle (of Fall)

Pronunciation

/ˈfɔːlən/ (British) /ˈfɑːlən/ (American)

Definitions

• (Adjective) Having dropped or come down from a higher position.
• (Adjective) Morally degraded or spiritually lost.
• (Past Participle) The past participle form of "fall."

Usage Examples

• The fallen leaves covered the ground.
• He was a fallen hero, once admired but now disgraced.
• She had fallen asleep on the couch.

Etymology

From Old English "feallan," meaning to fall or descend, with the past participle "fallen" emerging in Middle English.

Synonyms

• Collapsed
• Descended
• Degraded

Antonyms

• Risen
• Uplifted
• Elevated

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

American English: /ˈfɑːlən/

British English: /ˈfɔːlən/

Historical Usage

Historically, "fallen" was often used in religious contexts to describe moral decline or loss of grace, such as the "fallen angel." In military contexts, it refers to soldiers who died in battle.

Cultural Nuances

"Fallen" can carry a heavy emotional weight when referring to fallen soldiers or fallen leaders. It is also used metaphorically in literature and art to signify decline or tragedy.

More Information

The term "fallen" is frequently used in poetry and religious texts to symbolize spiritual downfall or defeat. In modern contexts, it is also used in expressions like "fallen out of favor" or "fallen from grace."