falling
UK: ˈfɔːlɪŋ | US: ˈfɑːlɪŋ
adj. descending or dropping under the force of gravity
n. the act or process of descending or dropping
adj. (of a person) losing status, power, or control
The word "falling" derives from the Old English feallan (to drop, descend), which traces back to Proto-Germanic fallaną. The suffix -ing is a productive English suffix used to form present participles or gerunds, indicating ongoing action or state. The combination logically represents the continuous act of descending or losing elevation. Historically, "fall" also metaphorically extended to concepts like decline (e.g., "fall from grace").
The falling leaves covered the sidewalk in autumn.
She tripped, falling hard onto the pavement.
The falling stock prices worried investors.
His falling reputation made it hard to find allies.
The meteor appeared as a falling star in the night sky.