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

Other Words From

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

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

Related Words

• extraction
• lineage
• origin
• parentage