descent

• Nom désignant l'action ou le processus de mouvement vers le bas, ainsi que l'origine familiale ou la lignée d'une personne.

A noun referring to the act or process of moving downward, or to a person's family origin or ancestry.

1. Downward movementB1formal

   The act of moving downward from a higher to a lower position.

   descente

   • The plane began its descent toward the airport.
   • The hikers made a slow descent down the mountain.
   • The elevator's descent was smooth and quiet.

   Synonymesdeclinedivedropfallplungesinking

   Antonymesascensionascentclimbrise

2. Ancestry or originB1formal

   A person's family origin or ethnic background.

   ascendance

   • She is of Irish descent.
   • He traced his descent back to the 18th century.
   • Many people in the city are of African descent.

   Synonymesancestrybackgroundbloodlineextractionfamilylineageoriginparentagepedigree

3. Decline or deteriorationB2formal

   A gradual decline into a worse state or condition.

   Déchéance, dégradation

   • The country's descent into chaos was alarming.
   • His descent into addiction was slow but steady.
   • The company's descent into bankruptcy was inevitable.

   Synonymesdecaydeclinedegenerationdegradationdeteriorationdownturndropfallregressionslideslumpworsening

   Antonymesascentimprovementprogressrecoveryrise