nidan verb (lower class) with 'ru' ending (archaic), intransitive verb
to fall; to die; to be defeated
Archaic Nidan intransitive verb, the classical form of modern 倒れる (たおれる). Used in pre-modern Japanese to mean falling down, dying, or being defeated. Not used in modern speech.
See also: たおれる
古語では「倒る」は「たおる」と読み、倒れることを意味した。
In classical Japanese, 倒る is read たおる and meant to fall.
戦場にて多くの兵が斃れたり。
Many soldiers fell (died) on the battlefield.
Modern standard equivalent. 倒る is the archaic Nidan form; 倒れる is the modern Ichidan form used in contemporary Japanese.
Classical Japanese Nidan verb. The modern form 倒れる developed from the same root. The exact derivation is uncertain, but it is related to the idea of falling or collapsing.