Definition of descend
- v. i. - To pass from a higher to a lower place; to move
downwards; to come or go down in any way, as by falling, flowing,
walking, etc.; to plunge; to fall; to incline downward; -- the opposite
of ascend.
- v. i. - To enter mentally; to retire.
- v. i. - To make an attack, or incursion, as if from a vantage
ground; to come suddenly and with violence; -- with on or upon.
- v. i. - To come down to a lower, less fortunate, humbler, less
virtuous, or worse, state or station; to lower or abase one's self; as,
he descended from his high estate.
- v. i. - To pass from the more general or important to the
particular or less important matters to be considered.
- v. i. - To come down, as from a source, original, or stock; to
be derived; to proceed by generation or by transmission; to fall or
pass by inheritance; as, the beggar may descend from a prince; a crown
descends to the heir.
- v. i. - To move toward the south, or to the southward.
- v. i. - To fall in pitch; to pass from a higher to a lower
tone.
- v. t. - To go down upon or along; to pass from a higher to a
lower part of; as, they descended the river in boats; to descend a
ladder.