What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Descent vs Descendent - What's the difference?

descent | descendent |

As a noun descent

is an instance of descending.

As an adjective descendent is

descending; going down.

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

    *

    descendent

    English

    Alternative forms

    * descendant

    Adjective

    (-)
  • descending; going down
    • The elevator resumed its descendent trajectory.
  • descending from (an ancestor)
    • Power in the kingdom is transferred in a descendent manner.

    Usage notes

    The adjective, "descending from a biological ancestor", may be spelt either with an a]]'' or with an ''e'' in the final syllable (see descendant). However the noun ''descendant'', "one who is the progeny of someone", may be spelt only with an ''[[-ant, a . ----