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Descent vs Ancestry - What's the difference?

descent | ancestry |

Ancestry is a synonym of descent.



As nouns the difference between descent and ancestry

is that descent is an instance of descending while ancestry is condition as to ancestors; ancestral lineage; hence, birth or honorable descent.

descent

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • An instance of descending
    • We climbed the mountain with difficulty, but the descent was easier.
  • * 2012 , July 15. Richard Williams in Guardian Unlimited, Tour de France 2012: Carpet tacks cannot force Bradley Wiggins off track
    • The next one surrendered his bike, only for that, too, to give him a second flat as he started the descent .
  • A way down.
    • We had difficulty in finding the correct descent .
  • A sloping passage or incline.
    • The descent into the cavern was wet and slippery.
  • Lineage or hereditary derivation
    • Our guide was of Welsh descent .
  • A drop to a lower status or condition.
    • After that, the holiday went into a steep descent .

    Usage notes

    * Sometimes confused with (decent).

    Related terms

    * descend

    Antonyms

    * (going down) ascent

    External links

    * *

    Anagrams

    *

    ancestry

    English

    Alternative forms

    * ancestrie (obsolete) * auncestrie (obsolete) * auncestry (obsolete)

    Noun

    (ancestries)
  • Condition as to ancestors; ancestral lineage; hence, birth or honorable descent.
    • Title and ancestry render a good man more illustrious, but an ill one more contemptible. -Addison.
  • A series of ancestors or progenitors; lineage, or those who compose the line of natural descent.

    • Related terms

    * ancestor