descent

柯林斯词典

1. N-VAR A descent is a movement from a higher to a lower level or position. 下降
Sixteen of the youngsters set off for help, but during the descent three collapsed in the cold and rain. 那些年轻人中有16人出发寻求帮助，但在下山过程中有3人在寒冷和阴雨中倒下了。
2. N-COUNT A descent is a surface that slopes downward, for example, the side of a steep hill. 下坡
On the descents, cyclists spin past cars, freewheeling downhill at tremendous speed. 在下坡道上，自行车手们飞快地掠过汽车，靠惯性极速冲下山去。
3. N-SING When you want to emphasize that a situation becomes very bad, you can talk about someone's or something's descent into that situation. 沉沦; 没落[强调]
...his swift descent from respected academic to struggling small businessman. …他从受人尊敬的学者到挣扎求存的小商人的迅速沦落。
4. N-UNCOUNT You use descent to talk about a person's family background, for example, their nationality or social status. 出身[正式]
All the contributors were of African descent. 所有捐助者都是非洲血统。