[de.scend] vb [ME, fr. OF descendre, fr. L descendere, fr. de- + scandere to climb--more at scan] vi (13c) 1: to pass from a higher place or level to a lower one "~ed from the platform"
2: to pass in discussion from what is logically prior or more comprehensive 3 a: to come down from a stock or source: derive "~s from an old merchant family" b: to pass by inheritance "a desk that has ~ed in the family" c: to pass by transmission "songs ~ed from old ballads"
4: to incline, lead, or extend downward "the road ~s to the river"
5. a: to swoop or pounce down (as in a sudden attack) b: to appear suddenly and often disconcertingly as if from above "reporters ~ed on the candidate"
6: to proceed in a sequence or gradation from higher to lower or from more remote to nearer or more recent
7. a: to lower oneself in status or dignity: stoop b: to worsen and sink in condition or estimation ~ vt 1: to pass, move, or climb down or down along
2: to extend down along -- de.scend.ible adj