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Descent vs Alight - What's the difference?

descent | alight |

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)
  • 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).

    Antonyms

    * (going down) ascent

    Anagrams

    *

    alight

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) alighten, from (etyl) .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To make light or less heavy; lighten; alleviate.
  • Etymology 2

    From (etyl) alighten, from (etyl) .

    Verb

  • (with from) To spring down, get down, or descend, as from on horseback or from a carriage; to dismount.
  • Passengers are alighting from the carriage
  • (with on) To descend and settle, lodge, rest, or stop.
  • A flying bird alights on a tree
    Snow alights on a roof .
  • To come or chance (upon).
  • Etymology 3

    From (etyl) alighten, from (etyl) .

    Verb

  • To light; light up; illuminate.
  • To set light to; light.
  • Etymology 4

    From (etyl) alight, from (etyl) *. See above.

    Alternative forms

    *

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Lit, on fire, switched on.
  • The sticks were damp and wouldn't catch alight .
  • (figuratively) Lit; on fire, burning.
  • Her face was alight with happiness.
    Usage notes
    Used only as a predicative.