downpickEtymologyFrom down + pick.nounA downward stroke with a plectrum on a stringed instrument; downstroke.“Outstanding selections include a knuckle-busting medley ("Chilly Winds-Old Joe Clark-Salt River- Johnny Bring the Jug Around the Hill") played in the bright, aggressive downpick clawhammer style of Wade Ward.”verbTo play a stringed instrument by using all downpicks.““When I was playing with James Hetfield in Metallica,” Dave says, “we pretty much decided that rhythm guitar should be downpicking when it comes to pedaling, until it's so fast that you can't downpick anymore..."”