English Explanatory Dictionary

descent

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An instance of descending; act of coming down.
  2. A way down.
  3. A sloping passage or incline.
  4. Lineage or hereditary derivation.
  5. A drop to a lower status or condition; decline.
  6. A falling upon or invasion.
  7. A particular extension of the idea of gluing.

Pronunciation

/dɪˈsɛnt/ /dəˈsɛnt/ /diˈsɛnt/ en-us-descent.ogg

Word forms

descent descents

Etymology

From Middle English and Anglo-Norman descente, from Anglo-Norman descendre (“to descend”); see descend. Compare ascent, ascend. Doublet of desant.

Antonyms

ascent

Related words

descend

Derived words

bilateral descent descent group descent vehicle double descent gradient descent graduate student descent hyperdescent hypodescent identical by descent infinite descent maldescent matrilineal descent minimum descent altitude patrilineal descent recursive descent redescent
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