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1 [usually in singular] an act of moving downwards, dropping, or falling: the plane had gone into a steep descent
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a downward slope: a steep, badly eroded descent
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a moral, social, or psychological decline: the ancient empire’s slow descent into barbarism
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2 [mass noun] the origin or background of a person in terms of family or nationality: the settlers were of Cornish descent
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the transmission of qualities, property, or privileges by inheritance.
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3 (descent on) a sudden violent attack: a descent on the Channel ports
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an unexpected visit: his descents on the manager of any shop he took a fancy to visit
