Descent vs Alight - What's the difference?
descent | alight |
An instance of descending
* 2012 , July 15. Richard Williams in Guardian Unlimited,
A way down.
A sloping passage or incline.
Lineage or hereditary derivation
A drop to a lower status or condition.
(with from) To spring down, get down, or descend, as from on horseback or from a carriage; to dismount.
(with on) To descend and settle, lodge, rest, or stop.
To come or chance (upon).
To light; light up; illuminate.
To set light to; light.
Lit, on fire, switched on.
(figuratively) Lit; on fire, burning.
As a noun descent
is an instance of descending.As a verb alight is
to make light or less heavy; lighten; alleviate or alight can be (with from) to spring down, get down, or descend, as from on horseback or from a carriage; to dismount or alight can be to light; light up; illuminate.As an adjective alight is
lit, on fire, switched on.descent
English
Noun
(en noun)- We climbed the mountain with difficulty, but the descent was easier.
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 .
- We had difficulty in finding the correct descent .
- The descent into the cavern was wet and slippery.
- Our guide was of Welsh descent .
- After that, the holiday went into a steep descent .
Usage notes
* Sometimes confused with (decent).Antonyms
* (going down) ascentExternal links
* *Anagrams
*alight
English
Etymology 1
From (etyl) alighten, from (etyl) .Etymology 2
From (etyl) alighten, from (etyl) .Verb
- Passengers are alighting from the carriage
- A flying bird alights on a tree
- Snow alights on a roof .
Etymology 3
From (etyl) alighten, from (etyl) .Verb
Etymology 4
From (etyl) alight, from (etyl) *. See above.Alternative forms
*Adjective
(-)- The sticks were damp and wouldn't catch alight .
- Her face was alight with happiness.