descendant

American  

[dih-sen-duhnt] / dɪˈsɛn dənt /

noun

1. a person or animal that is descended from a specific ancestor; an offspring.

2. something deriving in appearance, function, or general character from an earlier form.

3. an adherent who follows closely the teachings, methods, practices, etc., of an earlier master, as in art, music, philosophy, etc.; disciple.

4. Astrology.

   1. the point opposite the ascendant.

   2. the point of the ecliptic or the sign and degree of the zodiac setting below the western horizon at the time of a birth or of an event.

   3. the cusp of the seventh house.

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adjective

1. descending; descendent.

descendant ¹ British  

/ dɪˈsɛndənt /

noun

1. a person, animal, or plant when described as descended from an individual, race, species, etc

2. something that derives or is descended from an earlier form

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adjective

1. a variant spelling of descendent

Descendant ² British  

/ dɪˈsɛndənt /

noun

1. astrology the point on the ecliptic lying directly opposite the Ascendant

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Etymology

Origin of descendant

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English descendaunt (adjective), from Old French descendant “going down,” present participle of descendre “to go down”; equivalent to descend + -ant

Example Sentences

However, 80 years after the fall of the Third Reich, not all looted assets have been returned to the victims' descendants.

From Barron's

Even if there is a will or trust, common phrases such as “to my descendants” or “to my children” can open the door for a surprise relative to make a claim.

From The Wall Street Journal

In one reveal, Galvagna helped share an estate with five children, preparing handouts for descendants outlining their shares.

From The Wall Street Journal

The small Mediterranean country has faced waves of crisis and conflict that have driven people to emigrate, with millions of Lebanese or their descendants now living abroad.

From Barron's

The researchers were surprised to find that the early dinosaur bones were more similar to those of alligators and deer than to those of the dinosaurs' later descendants.

From Scientific American

Related Words

• heir
• offspring
• scion