Meaning & Definition of word "Descend"
to
Descend
/dɪˈsɛnd/
verb:
- 1. to move downward, typically from a higher position to a lower position.
- Example: The hikers began to descend the mountain as the sun started to set.
- 2. to come from an ancestor; to be derived from.
- Example: She can trace her lineage and discover that she descends from a long line of artists.
- 3. to decrease in value or quality.
- Example: The stock prices began to descend after the news of the scandal broke.
- 4. to settle or arrive in a particular state or condition.
- Example: As night fell, a sense of calm began to descend over the town.
Etymology
Late Middle English: from Old French 'descendre', from Latin 'descendere', from 'de-' meaning down and 'scandere' meaning to climb.
Common Phrases and Expressions
descend into madness:
to deteriorate into insanity or chaotic behavior.
descend from:
to be a descendant or offspring of.
descend upon:
to arrive suddenly in a large number.
Related Words
ascent:
the act of rising or climbing up.
descendant:
a person or animal that is descended from a specific ancestor.
Slang Meanings of descend
Meaning: to go downhill
Example Sentence: After that last exam, my grades started to descend.
Meaning: to get worse
Example Sentence: His attitude has really descended since he got that bad news.