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   descent

   /dɪˈsɛnt/

   noun

   • 1. an act of moving downwards, dropping, or falling: "the plane had gone into a steep descent" Similar going downcoming downdropfallsinkingsubsidingdivepitchslumpdownward climbdescendingOpposite ascentclimbascentclimb
   • ▪ a downward slope: "a steep, badly eroded descent" Similar slopeinclinedipdropgradientdeclivitydeclinationslantdownslopehill
   • ▪ a moral, social, or psychological decline: "the ancient empire's slow descent into barbarism" Similar degenerationdegeneracydeteriorationdeclinesinkingslidefalldropregressionretrogressiondebasementdegradationcomedown
   • 2. the origin or background of a person in terms of family or nationality: "the settlers were of Cornish descent" Similar ancestryparentageancestorsfamilylineagelineline of descentextractionoriginderivationbirthgenealogyhereditysuccessionstockpedigreebloodbloodlinestrainrootsoriginsforefathersantecedentsrare:filiationstirps
   • ▪ the transmission of qualities, property, or privileges by inheritance. Similar inheritancepassing down/onsuccession
   • 3. a sudden violent attack: "a descent on the Channel ports" Similar attackassaultraidonslaughtchargethrustpushdriveincursionforaysortiesallystormingassailing
   • ▪ an unexpected visit: "his descents on the manager of any shop he took a fancy to visit"

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French descente, from descendre ‘to descend’ (see descend).

   Scrabble Points: 10

   • D

     2

   • E

     1

   • S

     1

   • C

     3

   • E

     1

   • N

     1

   • T

     1

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