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descend

v.
US //dɪˈsɛnd// UK //dɪsˈɛnd// de·scend
  1. 1 to move down (v.)
    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.

    Example

    The hikers began to descend the mountain as the sun started to set.

    Example

    The aircraft began to descend toward the runway, its engines humming at a lower pitch as it lost altitude.

    Usage

    Can be used transitively (descend the stairs) or intransitively (the lift descended).
  2. 2 family lineage (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Biology

    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'.

    Example

    Many people in this village are descended from the original settlers.

    Example

    Genetic evidence suggests that the modern species is descended from a small population that survived the last ice age.
    Pitfall
    He 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'.

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  1. 3 to worsen (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    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.

    Example

    The peaceful protest quickly descended into a violent riot.

    Example

    The meeting descended into chaos as several board members began shouting over one another regarding the budget cuts.

    Usage

    Typically used with the preposition 'into'.
  2. 4 to slope down (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to point or lead downwards.

    to extend or slope in a downward direction.

    Example

    The road descends sharply toward the coast after you pass the forest.

    Example

    The garden is arranged in terraces that descend toward the riverbank, providing a panoramic view of the valley.
  3. 5 to arrive suddenly (v.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    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.

    Example

    Hundreds of reporters descended on the small town after the news broke.

    Example

    As soon as the celebrity stepped out of the car, a swarm of photographers descended upon her, flashing their cameras incessantly.

    Usage

    Usually takes the preposition 'on' or 'upon'.
Origin

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.

Word family

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