To move or fall downward. The airplane began to descend as it approached the airport.
To go down along or traverse downward; to climb down (used transitively). The hikers decided to descend the mountain before nightfall.
To pass from a higher to a lower state or condition. The situation began to descend into chaos as the crowd grew restless.
To be derived from an ancestor or source. She claims to descend from a long line of artists.
To slope or lead downward. The road descends steeply to the valley floor.
To arrive or attack suddenly and in great numbers (followed by on or upon). Reporters descended on the celebrity as soon as she left the courthouse.
(of a state such as darkness, silence, or a mood) to arrive and settle upon a place or group abruptly or completely. Silence descended over the courtroom after the verdict was read.