descent

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A descent is when someone or something goes down, either physically or socially. Imagine riding an elevator to the basement floor - that's a kind of physical descent.

When we talk about descent, it can also refer to going from a higher social status to a lower one. Think about royalty who lose their power and become commoners - they've descended in rank. This meaning is more abstract than a literal trip down some stairs, but the idea is similar: someone or something has moved downward.

How common is "descent"?

Word descent is considered uncommon in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.

Definitions

noun

An instance of descending; act of coming down.
Example: We climbed the mountain with difficulty, but the descent was easier.
A way down.
Example: We had difficulty in finding the correct descent.
A sloping passage or incline.
Example: The descent into the cavern was wet and slippery.
Lineage or hereditary derivation.
Example: Our guide was of Welsh descent.
A drop to a lower status or condition; decline.
Example: After that, the holiday went into a steep descent.
A falling upon or invasion.
(topology) A particular extension of the idea of gluing.