descend
/dɪˈsend/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈsend/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈsend dē-/ (ame, mw)
descend — verb
- descendpresent simple I / you / we / they
- descendshe / she / it
- descendedpast simple
- descending-ing form
1. to move downwards — for example, walking from the top of a hill to the bottom, c
to move downwards — for example, walking from the top of a hill to the bottom, climbing off a ladder, or driving into a valley.
Ryo descended the narrow staircase carefully, holding the wooden rail.
transitive use: descend + staircase
Adina watched the elevator doors open and her grandmother descend slowly into the lobby.
intransitive use: descend into [place]
The hikers began to descend the mountain long before the fog rolled in.
A narrow path descends from the temple gates straight to the village market.
文法句型
descend + noun phrase (stairs, hill, ladder)
descend from + place
descend into + place
用法筆記
For physical movement downward, 'go down' and 'come down' are far more common in everyday speech; 'descend' sounds more formal or literary.
常見錯誤
2. when darkness, night, or an atmospheric condition descends, it arrives and gradu
when darkness, night, or an atmospheric condition descends, it arrives and gradually covers an area as day turns to night.
Night descended on the small village much earlier behind the high mountains.
night/darkness as subject
As evening approached, a thick fog descended over the harbour and hid the boats.
fog descends over [place]
Linh stayed on the balcony until total darkness descended and the stars appeared.
Walid knew he had to reach camp before dusk descended on the forest trail.
- lift
when fog, darkness, or a condition clears away
文法句型
darkness/night + descend (no object)
descend on/upon + place
用法筆記
Usually used with an atmospheric or time-of-day subject (night, darkness, dusk, fog, silence). The preposition 'on' or 'over' marks the affected place.
3. if a negative emotion or mood descends, it suddenly spreads through a place or g
if a negative emotion or mood descends, it suddenly spreads through a place or group of people and affects everyone there.
A heavy silence descended on the classroom after the teacher announced the news.
silence descends on [place]
Sadness descended upon the whole family when they heard about the accident.
emotion noun + descend upon
Imran felt a strange calm descend over the crowded room as the music began.
An air of worry descended on the office before the important meeting results came out.
- settle over
suggests a more gradual, lingering effect
- envelop
stronger image of being completely surrounded by a feeling
文法句型
feeling + descend on/upon + place/person
silence/mood + descend
用法筆記
The subject is typically an abstract noun for a mood or feeling (silence, sadness, gloom, panic, calm). The verb is always intransitive; use 'on,' 'upon,' or 'over' to introduce the affected person or place.
常見錯誤
4. when a difficult situation takes hold across a whole area rapidly, causing disru
when a difficult situation takes hold across a whole area rapidly, causing disruption or trouble for everyone involved.
Chaos descended on the train station when the announcement system stopped working.
chaos descends on [place]
Ife watched confusion descend over the crowd as the guide gave unclear directions.
confusion descends over [people]
Panic descended on the neighbourhood after the loud explosion near the school.
Christopher recalled how a strange disorder descended on the town during the storm.
- clear
when confusion, panic, or a difficult situation ends
文法句型
condition + descend on/upon + place
chaos/confusion/panic + descend
用法筆記
Sense 4 is close to sense 3 but specifically names a situation or condition (chaos, panic, confusion, disorder) rather than an internal mood. The affected scope is typically an entire location or group.
5. to come from a particular ancestor or family line; to have your origin in a prev
to come from a particular ancestor or family line; to have your origin in a previous generation or historical group.
The Tanaka family is descended from a long line of skilled pottery makers in Kyoto.
passive: be descended from [ancestor/lineage]
Many people in this coastal town descend from Portuguese sailors who arrived centuries ago.
active: descend from [historical group]
These rare plants are believed to descend from species that grew during the ice age.
The Okafor children were proud to be descended from a famous village chief.
- come from
neutral everyday alternative
- originate from
more formal; also used for ideas and customs
- be derived from
common for languages, words, and abstract origins
文法句型
be descended from + ancestor/family group
descend from + ancestor
用法筆記
The most common form is the passive 'be descended from.' In active use ('descend from'), the subject can be people, animals, plants, or languages.
常見錯誤
6. to lower yourself to a level of behaviour that you would normally consider benea
to lower yourself to a level of behaviour that you would normally consider beneath your dignity, often in a negative sense of stooping to something unworthy.
Lucía refused to descend to the level of personal insults during the debate.
descend to the level of [negative behaviour]
Tamás would never descend to spreading rumours about his former colleagues.
descend to + verb-ing
The politician lost many supporters when she descended into dishonest campaign tactics.
Shanti felt the argument was pointless and chose not to descend to her opponent's rudeness.
- stoop
very similar in meaning; 'stoop to' is less formal than 'descend to'
- condescend
emphasises acting as if one is superior while doing something beneath oneself
- degrade oneself
stronger moral judgement
- rise above
to act with dignity and avoid unworthy behaviour
文法句型
descend to + noun/verb-ing
descend into + negative behaviour
用法筆記
Often used in negative constructions ('would never descend to') or preceded by 'refuse to.' The preposition 'to' introduces the unworthy action or level of behaviour, while 'into' suggests a gradual slide toward something negative.
常見錯誤
7. to slope or lead downward; used for roads, paths, pieces of land, or other surfa
to slope or lead downward; used for roads, paths, pieces of land, or other surfaces that go gradually from a higher position to a lower one.
The garden path descends gently toward the small pond at the bottom.
path/land as subject
A steep driveway descends from the main road to the garage below the house.
descend from [higher] to [lower]
The ski slope descends sharply for nearly two kilometres before flattening out.
Behind the farm, the land descends in wide green terraces toward the river.
文法句型
path/road/land + descend + adverb/preposition
descend toward + place
descend from + higher place
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1, this sense does NOT involve a person moving. The subject is the surface or route itself. It describes how a landscape or structure is shaped.