fall

1. The act of moving to a lower position under the effect of gravity.
2. A reduction in quantity, pitch, etc.
3. The time of the year when the leaves typically fall from the trees; autumn; the season of the year between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice.
4. A loss of greatness or status.

   the fall of Rome

5. That which falls or cascades.
6. A crucial event or circumstance.
7. A hairpiece for women consisting of long strands of hair on a woven backing, intended primarily to cover hair loss.
8. Blame or punishment for a failure or misdeed.

   He set up his rival to take the fall.

9. The part of the rope of a tackle to which the power is applied in hoisting (usu. plural).

   Have the goodness to secure the falls of the mizzen halyards.

10. An old Scots unit of measure equal to six ells.
11. A short, flexible piece of leather forming part of a bullwhip, placed between the thong and the cracker.
12. The lid, on a piano, that covers the keyboard

1. (heading) To be moved downwards.
2. To move downwards.
3. To happen, to change negatively.
4. To be allotted to; to arrive through chance, fate, or inheritance.

   And so it falls to me to make this important decision.  The estate fell to his brother; the kingdom fell into the hands of his rivals.

5. To diminish; to lessen or lower.
6. To bring forth.

   to fall lambs

7. To issue forth into life; to be brought forth; said of the young of certain animals.
8. To descend in character or reputation; to become degraded; to sink into vice, error, or sin.
9. To become ensnared or entrapped; to be worse off than before.

   to fall into error;  to fall into difficulties

10. To assume a look of shame or disappointment; to become or appear dejected; said of the face.
11. To happen; to come to pass; to chance or light (upon).
12. To begin with haste, ardour, or vehemence; to rush or hurry.

    After arguing, they fell to blows.

13. To be dropped or uttered carelessly.

    An unguarded expression fell from his lips.

14. (of a fabric) To hang down (under the influence of gravity).

    An Empire-style dress has a high waistline – directly under the bust – from which the dress falls all the way to a hem as low as the floor.

noun

The chasing of a hunted whale.