"it's down there": Yes, it means that something is down from the place they are now. However, it doesn't have anything to do with the "center or main entry" or "the south". It's down there (at the bottom of the stairs). It's down there (on the floor). It's down the hill towards the north. (see, it has no connection with directions like "south") "handed" vs. "handed down": "The thing handed from father to son" - it just means the father gave something to his son. It has no other special meaning. "the thing handed down from father to son" - it is usually some important memento or sometimes an expensive item, like a book, a car, a historical item, etc. You might especially use "handed down" when the father is very old and can't use the "thing" anymore or the father dies. "The family history book was handed down to his son after he died." "down (feathers)": This has nothing to do with the other meanings of "down". It does not mean direction or anything. It is just the name of the type of soft feathers that are found close to the skin of a bird. They are used in pillows and jackets because they are soft and warm.