descent
Translation
downward movement, downward slope, ancestry, sudden attack
Examples
The plane began its descent to the airport.
The plane began its descent to the airport.
The path was a steep descent.
The path was a steep descent.
She is of Irish descent.
She is of Irish descent.
Grammar Patterns
((from sth.)) ((to sth.)) an act of coming or going down. The descent from the summit was difficult.
a steep/gentle descent a downward slope. The house is at the bottom of a steep descent.
of ... descent a person's family origins. He is a man of noble descent.
Similar Words
Synonyms: fall, drop, slope, lineage; Antonyms: ascent, climb, rise
Etymology
From the verb 'descend'. The noun form of the action.
Memory Tips
The noun form of 'to descend'. The 'descent' of a mountain is the act of going down it.