descent
/dɪˈsent/noun
1
- usu. in sing. an action of moving downwards, dropping, or falling下降, 下落：
the plane had gone into a steep descent.
飞机陡然下降。
1.1
- a downward slope, especially a path or track下行坡道：
a steep, badly eroded descent.
陡峭而且已被严重侵蚀的坡道。
1.2
- a moral, social, or psychological decline into a specified undesirable state没落; 堕落：
the ancient empire's slow descent into barbarism.
古代帝国慢慢蜕变至野蛮状态的过程。
2
- mass noun the origin or background of a person in terms of family or nationality血统, 家世, 门第：
most of the settlers were of Cornish descent.
大多数移民都来自康沃尔地方。
2.1
- the transmission of qualities, property, or privileges by inheritance世袭; 遗传。
3
descent on
a sudden violent attack突袭：a descent on the Channel ports.
对英吉利海峡诸港的突袭。
3.1
- an unexpected visit, especially an unwelcome one突然来到, 突然访问。
词源
Middle English: from Old French descente, from descendre 'to descend' （see DESCEND）.