Nearby Words
verb (used without object)
1.
to go or pass from a higher to a lower place; move or come down: to descend from the mountaintop.
2.
to pass from higher to lower in any scale or series.
3.
to go from generals to particulars, as in a discussion.
4.
to slope, tend, or lead downward: The path descends to the pond.
5.
EXPANDto be inherited or transmitted, as through succeeding generations of a family: The title descends through eldest sons.
6.
to have a specific person or family among one's ancestors (usually followed by from): He is descended from Cromwell.
7.
to be derived from something remote in time, especially through continuous transmission: This festival descends from a druidic rite.
8.
to approach or pounce upon, especially in a greedy or hasty manner (followed by on or upon): Thrill-seekers descended upon the scene of the crime.
9.
to settle, as a cloud or vapor.
10.
to appear or become manifest, as a supernatural being, state of mind, etc.: Jupiter descended to humankind.
11.
to attack, especially with violence and suddenness (usually followed by on or upon): to descend upon enemy soldiers.
12.
to sink or come down from a certain intellectual, moral, or social standard: He would never descend to baseness.
13.
COLLAPSEAstronomy. to move toward the horizon, as the sun or a star.
verb (used with object)
14.
to move downward upon or along; go or climb down (stairs, a hill, etc.).
15.
to extend or lead down along: The path descends the hill.
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Descend upon
is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
Origin:
1250–1300; Middle English descenden < Old French descendre < Latin dēscendere, equivalent to dē- de- + -scendere, combining form of scandere to climb; compare scansion
1250–1300; Middle English descenden < Old French descendre < Latin dēscendere, equivalent to dē- de- + -scendere, combining form of scandere to climb; compare scansion
Related forms
de·scend·ing·ly, adverb
pre·de·scend, verb
re·de·scend, verb
un·de·scend·ed, adjective
un·de·scend·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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