descend
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to go or come down from a higher place to a lower one.
to move downwards from a higher to a lower level. Often used in formal or technical contexts where 'go down' is too informal.
Simple“The hikers began to descend the mountain as the sun started to set.”
In context“The aircraft began to descend toward the runway, its engines humming at a lower pitch as it lost altitude.”
UsageCan be used transitively (descend the stairs) or intransitively (the lift descended).
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to come from a particular ancestor or family in the past.
to have a specific person or group as an ancestor. Usually used in the passive form 'be descended from'.
Simple“Many people in this village are descended from the original settlers.”
In context“Genetic evidence suggests that the modern species is descended from a small population that survived the last ice age.”
PitfallHe descends from a royal family. He is descended from a royal family.When talking about family history, we usually use the passive 'be descended from'.
Synonymsoriginatespring from - 03 C1 Advanced
to change into a worse or less organized state.
to pass into a lower or less desirable state or condition, often implying a loss of control or dignity.
Simple“The peaceful protest quickly descended into a violent riot.”
In context“The meeting descended into chaos as several board members began shouting over one another regarding the budget cuts.”
UsageTypically used with the preposition 'into'.
SynonymsAntonyms - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
to point or lead downwards.
to extend or slope in a downward direction.
Simple“The road descends sharply toward the coast after you pass the forest.”
In context“The garden is arranged in terraces that descend toward the riverbank, providing a panoramic view of the valley.”
- 05 C1 Advanced
to arrive suddenly and in large numbers, often when not wanted.
to make a sudden attack or visit, typically in large numbers. Often implies an overwhelming or intrusive arrival.
Simple“Hundreds of reporters descended on the small town after the news broke.”
In context“As soon as the celebrity stepped out of the car, a swarm of photographers descended upon her, flashing their cameras incessantly.”
UsageUsually takes the preposition 'on' or 'upon'.
“One hundred or more local residents, tourists, and photographers descended on the church grounds with cameras, telescopes, music, and their favorite libations.”
“An ayahuasca ceremony at a desert commune descends into gun-toting mayhem.”
PIE word *de The verb is derived from Middle English descenden (“to move downwards, fall, descend; to slope downwards; to go from a better to a worse condition, decline, degenerate; to be a descendant, derive from (a source); etc.”), from Anglo-Norman descendere, descendre, and Old French descendere, descendre (“to move downwards, fall, descend; to slope downwards; to be a descendant, derive from (a source); etc.”) (modern French descendre), and from their etymon Latin dēscendere, the present active infinitive of dēscendō (“to come or go down, fall, descend; to slope downwards; to be a descendant; etc.”), from de- (prefix meaning ‘from; down from’) + scandō (“to ascend, climb; to clamber”) (from Proto-Indo-European *skend- (“to climb, scale; to dart; to jump”)). The noun is derived from the verb.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.