n. 1 a the act of descending. b an instance of this. c a downward movement. 2 a a way or path etc. by which one may descend. b a downward slope. 3 a being descended; lineage, family origin (traces his descent from William the Conqueror). b the transmission of qualities, property, privileges, etc., by inheritance. 4 a a decline; a fall. b a lowering (of pitch, temperature, etc.). 5 a sudden violent attack.
[ ME f. OF descente f. descendre DESCEND ]