de·scent 
/dɪˈsɛnt/ noun
plural de·scents /dɪˈsɛnt/ noun formal 1 [count] : the act or process of descending: such as a : the act or process of going from a higher to a lower place or level — usually singular ▪ The climbers were faced with a dangerous descent in bad weather. ▪ the submarine's descent ▪ After only an hour of flight, the pilot announced our descent. — opposite ascent
b : the act or process or changing to a worse state or condition
▪ The book describes his descent into a deep depression after the death of his wife. ▪ her slow descent to a life of addiction 2 [count] : a way of going down something : a downward slope, path, etc.
▪ The only path that goes down to the river is a rather steep descent, so be careful. 3 [noncount] : the people in your family who lived before you were born : your ancestors
▪ Many people in this area are of German descent. [=ancestry] ▪ They claim to be of royal descent. [=they say that their ancestors were kings, queens, etc.]
b : the act or process or changing to a worse state or condition
▪ The book describes his descent into a deep depression after the death of his wife. ▪ her slow descent to a life of addiction
▪ The only path that goes down to the river is a rather steep descent, so be careful.
▪ Many people in this area are of German descent. [=ancestry] ▪ They claim to be of royal descent. [=they say that their ancestors were kings, queens, etc.]
