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View synonyms for descent

descent

[ dih-sent ]

noun

  1. the act, process, or fact of moving from a higher to a lower position.

    Synonyms: drop, fall

  2. a downward inclination or slope.

    Synonyms: slant, declivity, grade, decline

  3. a passage or stairway leading down.
  4. derivation from an ancestor; lineage; extraction.

    Synonyms: origin, parentage, ancestry

  5. any passing from higher to lower in degree or state; decline.

    Synonyms: downturn, contraction, decline, plunge, drop, decrease

  6. a sudden raid or hostile attack.

    Synonyms: incursion, raid, foray, assault

  7. Law. transmission of real property by intestate succession.


descent

/ dɪˈsɛnt /

noun

  1. the act of descending
  2. a downward slope or inclination
  3. a passage, path, or way leading downwards
  4. derivation from an ancestor or ancestral group; lineage
  5. (in genealogy) a generation in a particular lineage
  6. a decline or degeneration
  7. a movement or passage in degree or state from higher to lower
  8. often foll by on a sudden and overwhelming arrival or attack
  9. property law (formerly) the transmission of real property to the heir on an intestacy


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Other Words From

  • prede·scent noun
  • rede·scent noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of descent1

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Anglo-French, Old French descente, derivative of descendre “to come down,” modeled on such pairs as vente, vendre; descend

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Example Sentences

The feisty airline is the brainchild of entrepreneur Tony Fernandes, a Malaysian of Indian descent who also is a British citizen.

But then the summit gives way to the other side of the hill, and a childlike glee arises from the whooooosh of the descent.

His sadness over her descent into shooting up after managing to stay clean for a period is palpable.

This descent and all of its trials serve as metaphors for the brutal task of breaking the chains of guilt, fear, and doubt.

Aristotle is not typically remembered as the father of naturalists, but Darwin acknowledged a line of intellectual descent.

We dismounted, and speedily found that MacRae hadn't exaggerated the evil qualities of that descent.

He made a violent assault against the nation of his enemies, and in the descent he destroyed the adversaries.

We followed the upland past the end of the Stone till we found a slope that didn't require wings for descent.

Massed on the plateau above the mule-path, the whole population of the village stood to watch them down the steep descent.

But hail shall be in the descent of the forest, and the city shall be made very low.

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descensionDeschamps