Descendant

/dɪˈsɛndənt/ · adjective

Meaning

Descending; going down..

Definitions by Sense

1. Descending; going down.
2. Descending from a biological ancestor.
3. Proceeding from a figurative ancestor or source.
4. One of the progeny of a specified person, at any distance of time or through any number of generations.
5. (figuratively) A thing that derives directly from a given precursor or source.
6. (biology) A later evolutionary type.
7. (linguistics) A language that is descended from another.
8. (linguistics) A word or form in one language that is descended from a counterpart in an ancestor language.

Example Sentences

The elevator resumed its descendant trajectory.

Eagle descendant, or descending. See DESCENDANT, and Pl. 22, fig. 6. Eagle descendant, displayed. See Pl. 22, fig. 7. Eagle displayed, recursant. See DISPLAYED RECURSANT, and Pl. 22, […]

Azure, surmounting a cloud argent, an American eagle descendant, wings endorsed proper, between his beak four lightning streaks, […]

Power in the kingdom is transferred in a descendant manner.

Pitiable sportster, / To choose thy prey so humbly, to seduce / A beggar wench who hath not the high pride / Descendant still from kingly ancestors, / To keep her royal place.

Meronyms: issue, line, progeny; family; clan

The patriarch survived many descendants: five children, a dozen grandchildren, even a great grandchild.

This famous medieval manuscript has many descendants.

Synonyms for descendant

Antonyms for descendant

Related Words

Word Forms

• descendent
• descendants

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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