descent
de|scent /dɪs'ent/ (descents)
1 [N-VAR]
A descent is a movement from a higher to a lower level or position.
...the crash of an Airbus A300 on its descent into Kathmandu airport.
≠ ascent
2 [N-COUNT]
A descent is a surface that slopes downwards, for example the side of a steep hill.
On the descents, cyclists spin past cars, freewheeling downhill at tremendous speed.
≠ ascent
3 [N-SING] usu poss N into/from/to n
When you want to emphasize that a situation becomes very bad, you can talk about someone's or something's descent into that situation.
...his swift descent from respected academic to struggling small businessman.
= decline
4 [N-UNCOUNT] usu of adj N
You use descent to talk about a person's family background, for example their nationality or social status. (FORMAL)
All the contributors were of African descent.
= origin, ancestry
1 [N-VAR]
A descent is a movement from a higher to a lower level or position.
...the crash of an Airbus A300 on its descent into Kathmandu airport.
≠ ascent
2 [N-COUNT]
A descent is a surface that slopes downwards, for example the side of a steep hill.
On the descents, cyclists spin past cars, freewheeling downhill at tremendous speed.
≠ ascent
3 [N-SING] usu poss N into/from/to n
When you want to emphasize that a situation becomes very bad, you can talk about someone's or something's descent into that situation.
...his swift descent from respected academic to struggling small businessman.
= decline
4 [N-UNCOUNT] usu of adj N
You use descent to talk about a person's family background, for example their nationality or social status. (FORMAL)
All the contributors were of African descent.
= origin, ancestry