descend
to go or pass from a higher to a lower place; move or come down: to descend from the mountaintop.
to pass from higher to lower in any scale or series.
to go from generals to particulars, as in a discussion.
to slope, tend, or lead downward: The path descends to the pond.
to be inherited or transmitted, as through succeeding generations of a family: The title descends through eldest sons.
to have a specific person or family among one's ancestors (usually followed by from): He is descended from Cromwell.
to be derived from something remote in time, especially through continuous transmission: This festival descends from a druidic rite.
to approach or pounce upon, especially in a greedy or hasty manner (followed byon or upon): Thrill-seekers descended upon the scene of the crime.
to settle, as a cloud or vapor.
to appear or become manifest, as a supernatural being, state of mind, etc.: Jupiter descended to humankind.
to attack, especially with violence and suddenness (usually followed by on or upon): to descend upon enemy soldiers.
to sink or come down from a certain intellectual, moral, or social standard: He would never descend to baseness.
Astronomy. to move toward the horizon, as the sun or a star.
to move downward upon or along; go or climb down (stairs, a hill, etc.).
to extend or lead down along: The path descends the hill.
Origin of descend
1Other words from descend
- de·scend·ing·ly, adverb
- pre·de·scend, verb
- re·de·scend, verb
- un·de·scend·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use descend in a sentence
As soon as they consented to redescend on earth they revealed themselves as the most sagacious and the boldest of business men.
En Route | J.-K. (Joris-Karl) HuysmansThe four grand, overflowing channels of the cataract tumble, rise and redescend in an eternal tempest of rage.
The Cathedrals and Churches of the Rhine | Francis MiltounToutes les autres danseuses tombent, Vestris says; Mademoiselle Taglioni redescend.
Miss Eden's Letters | Emily EdenIf we suppose this air to redescend whence it rose, it would, on reaching the equator, find the Earth going too fast for it.
The Ocean and its Wonders | R.M. BallantyneHe gathered them in his hand, and prepared to redescend the perilous stairs.
Vain Fortune | George Moore
British Dictionary definitions for descend
/ (dɪˈsɛnd) /
(also tr) to move, pass, or go down (a hill, slope, staircase, etc)
(of a hill, slope, or path) to lead or extend down; slope; incline
to move to a lower level, pitch, etc; fall
(often foll by from) to be connected by a blood relationship (to a dead or extinct individual, race, species, etc)
to be passed on by parents or ancestors; be inherited
to sink or come down in morals or behaviour; lower oneself
(often foll by on or upon) to arrive or attack in a sudden or overwhelming way: their relatives descended upon them last week
(of the sun, moon, etc) to move towards the horizon
Origin of descend
1Derived forms of descend
- descendable, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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