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Descent vs Parentage - What's the difference?

descent | parentage | Related terms |

Descent is a related term of parentage.


As nouns the difference between descent and parentage

is that descent is an instance of descending while parentage is of or pertaining to one's parents, and in particular, the legitimacy of one's birth.

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

    *

    parentage

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Of or pertaining to one's parents, and in particular, the legitimacy of one's birth.
  • The social quality of your class in society.
  • * 1608 , Shakespeare, Pericles , Act 5, Scene 1:
  • My fortunes -- parentage -- good parentage -- To equal mine! -- was it not thus? What say you?
  • origin; derivation