Word
descent
Meanings
the act of moving downward from a higher place
a person’s ancestry or family origin
Image generation queued.
a decline into a worse state or condition
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Definition
Descent is the act of moving down from a higher place or a person’s family origin.
Descent most commonly refers to moving downward from a higher position, such as coming down a mountain, stairs, or an aircraft. It can also mean a person’s ancestry or the family line they come from. In writing, it is often used in formal contexts, especially when discussing origins or heritage.
Examples
- I started my descent before the weather closed in, keeping a steady pace on the slippery path.
- You can hear the engines change pitch during the descent, which often makes first-time flyers nervous.
- She traced her descent to coastal traders and inland farmers, using letters and family stories to fill the gaps.
- They described the team’s descent into chaos as a slow loss of trust rather than a single dramatic mistake.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse descent with dissent (disagreement), even though they have different meanings and pronunciation.
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