descent

/dɪˈsɛnt/
noun
  1. The act of moving downward from a higher to a lower place.
    • The elevator made a slow descent to the basement.
    • The airplane began its descent toward the runway.
    • Hikers found the steep descent difficult in the rain.
  2. A person's family origin or ancestry.
    • She is of Irish descent on her mother's side.
    • The museum traced the descent of the royal family.
    • Many people in this region claim descent from Viking settlers.
  3. A downward slope or path.
    • We followed a rocky descent to the beach.
    • The ski run offers a thrilling descent through the trees.
    • The road has a long descent into the valley.
  4. A sudden or unwelcome visit or attack.
    • The sudden descent of reporters overwhelmed the celebrity.
    • The descent of the swarm of bees startled the campers.
    • They feared a descent of thieves on their village.
Antonyms
What does "descent" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean