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| de·scend [ di sénd ] (past and past participle de·scend·ed, present participle de·scend·ing, 3rd person present singular de·scends) |
verb |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive and intransitive verb go down: to go down a staircase, hill, valley, or other downward incline
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2. intransitive verb come nearer ground: to come nearer the ground, especially in an aircraft in preparation for landing
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3. intransitive verb slope: to slope downward
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4. transitive and intransitive verb be related: to be connected by blood to an ancestor
  be descended from Vikings
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5. intransitive verb be inherited: to be inherited from or passed down by parents or ancestors
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6. intransitive verb arrive suddenly: to arrive at a place suddenly, especially in large numbers
tourists descending on unspoiled areas
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7. intransitive verb become established: to become more evident or established, suddenly or by degrees
An atmosphere of gloom descended on the assembled crowd.
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8. intransitive verb lower oneself: to behave in a way that is disappointing and below somebody's usual standards
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| [14th century. Via French descendre< Latin descendere "climb down" < scandere "climb"] |
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| de·scend·a·ble adjective |
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