descent -
n. 1 a the act of descending. b an
instance of this. c a downward movement.
2 a a way or path etc. by which one may descend. b a downward slope.
3 a being descended; lineage, family origin (traces his
descent from William the Conqueror). b the transmission of qualities, property, privileges, etc., by inheritance.
4 a a decline; a fall. b a lowering (of
pitch, temperature, etc.).
5 a sudden violent attack.
[ME f. OF descente f. descendre DESCEND] 
