descent

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The act of moving or coming down.

   We climbed the mountain with difficulty, but the descent was much easier.

2. 2
   noun

   The family or ancestors a person comes from.

   Our guide was of Welsh descent.

3. 3
   noun

   A fall to a lower or worse condition.

   After the scandal, his career went into a steep descent.

4. 4
   noun

   A path or slope leading downward.

   The descent into the cavern was wet and slippery.

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

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