First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
descent
noun de·scent \di-ˈsent\
Definition of DESCENT
1
a : derivation from an ancestor : birth, lineage <of French descent> b : transmission or devolution of an estate by inheritance usually in the descending line c : the fact or process of originating from an ancestral stock d : the shaping or development in nature and character by transmission from a source : derivation
2
: the act or process of descending
3
: a step downward in a scale of gradation; specifically : one generation in an ancestral line or genealogical scale
4
a : an inclination downward : slope b : a descending way (as a downgrade or stairway) c obsolete : the lowest part
6
: a downward step (as in station or value) : decline <descent of the family to actual poverty>
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Origin of DESCENT
Middle English, from Anglo-French descente, from Anglo-French descendre
Related to DESCENT
Other Biology Terms
Rhymes with DESCENT
absent, accent, Advent, anent, ascent, assent, augment, besprent, cement, comment, consent, content, convent, detent, dissent, docent, event, extent, ferment, foment, fragment, frequent, hell-bent, indent, intent, invent, lament, loment, low-rent, mordent, outspent, percent, pigment, portent, present, prevent, pup tent, quitrent, rack-rent, relent, repent, resent, segment, Shymkent, Tashkent, torment, well-meant, wisent
DESCENT Defined for Kids
descent
noun de·scent \di-ˈsent\
Definition of DESCENT for Kids
1
: an act of coming or going down in location or condition <The plane began its descent.>
2
: a downward slope <a steep descent>
3
: a person's ancestors <She is of Korean descent.>
Medical Dictionary
descent
noun de·scent \di-ˈsent\
Medical Definition of DESCENT
1
: the act or process of descending from a higher to a lower location <descent of the testes into the scrotum>
2
a : derivation from an ancestor b : the fact or process of originating by generation from an ancestral stock (as a species or genus)
3
: a former method of distillation in which the material was heated in a vessel having its outlet underneath so that the vapors produced were forced to descend
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