descend

[dɪˈsend]

descend Definition

  • 1move or fall downward
  • 2make a sudden attack on
  • 3originate from a particular ancestor or source

Using descend: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "descend" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The plane began to descend towards the runway.

  • Example

    The sun slowly descended behind the mountains.

  • Example

    The troops descended upon the enemy camp at dawn.

  • Example

    The family is said to descend from royalty.

descend Synonyms and Antonyms

Idioms Using descend

  • a gradual or sudden decline into insanity or irrational behavior

    Example

    The character's descent into madness was a central theme of the novel.

  • a loss of status, prestige, or favor

    Example

    The politician's scandal marked a descent from grace that he was never able to fully recover from.

  • the Christian belief that the Holy Spirit came down to earth on the day of Pentecost

    Example

    Christians celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday.

Phrases with descend

  • descend into chaos

    to become disordered, confused, or chaotic

    Example

    The situation quickly descended into chaos as more people joined the argument.

  • to come down to earth from a state of being unrealistic or idealistic

    Example

    It's time to descend from the clouds and start thinking about the practical aspects of this project.

  • descend on/upon someone

    to arrive suddenly and in large numbers

    Example

    The reporters descended on the celebrity as soon as she arrived at the airport.

Origins of descend

from Latin 'descendere', from 'de-' (down) + 'scandere' (to climb)

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Summary: descend in Brief

'Descend' [dɪˈsend] means to move or fall downward, make a sudden attack on, or originate from a particular ancestor or source. It can refer to physical movement, as in 'The plane began to descend towards the runway,' or to abstract concepts, as in 'The family is said to descend from royalty.' The phrase 'descend into chaos' implies a loss of order or control, while 'a descent into madness' suggests a decline into irrational behavior.

How do native speakers use this expression?