Descent
/dɪˈsent/
Definitions
3 meaningsThe act of moving downwards.
/dɪˈsent/
The act of going down
The airplane made a smooth descent to the runway.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're on a roller coaster and it's going *down* the big hill! A descent is when something goes down, like a plane landing or a mountain path.
👶 For kids: Going down!
More Examples
The climbers began their descent after reaching the summit.
The price of the stock saw a dramatic descent.
How It's Used
"The plane began its descent toward the airport."
"The hikers carefully navigated the steep descent."
A person's ancestry or lineage; the state of becoming lower in social status or condition.
/dɪˈsent/
A decline in social status or origin
His descent can be traced back to the Mayflower passengers.
💡 Simply: Imagine your grandparents, their parents, and all the way back. That's your *descent* – where your family comes from! It can also mean going 'downhill' in life, like losing a job and having less money.
👶 For kids: Where your family came from, like your mom and dad's parents and their parents before them!
More Examples
The company's descent in popularity caused major losses.
The king's descent from a long line of rulers was well-known.
How It's Used
"She traced her descent from a noble family."
"The family's descent into poverty was gradual."
A difference of opinion; disagreement or protest.
/dɪˈsent/
A disagreement or protest
There was a strong descent against the government's proposed tax increase.
💡 Simply: When you don't agree with something, and you're not afraid to say so. It's like, "I don't think that's right!" This could be a difference of opinion, or a protest.
👶 For kids: When you don't agree with someone.
More Examples
The lawyer filed a descent to the verdict.
His descent to the company's new direction was well-known.
How It's Used
"The judge issued a dissenting opinion, expressing his descent from the majority ruling."
"Public descent against the new policy was widespread."
Idioms & expressions
line of descent
A sequence of people who are related to each other through descent from an ancestor.
"She traced her line of descent back to royalty."
From Middle English *descend*, from Old French *descente*, from Latin *dēscensus* ('a going down').
Historically, the word has been used to describe the act of going down, tracing lineage, and expressing disagreement, with consistent meanings across centuries.
Memory tip
Think of a ski *descent* – you're going down the mountain!