Collocations for descent - noun
1. movement down
ADJ.
rapid, swift | slow | steep | gentle, gradual | difficult, easy
They began the difficult descent of the mountain''s south west face.
They began the difficult descent of the mountain''s south west face.
final
The plane was making its final descent so we had to fasten our seat belts.
The plane was making its final descent so we had to fasten our seat belts.
VERB + DESCENT
make
PREP.
on/during a/the ~
The engines failed on the plane''s descent to Orly.
The engines failed on the plane''s descent to Orly.
~ down
I made a slow and painful descent down the stairs.
I made a slow and painful descent down the stairs.
~ from
the descent from the top of the mountain
the descent from the top of the mountain
~ into
(figurative) his descent into alcoholism
(figurative) his descent into alcoholism
~ to
The plane began its gentle descent to Heathrow.
The plane began its gentle descent to Heathrow.
PHRASES
a rate of descent
We slowed the balloon''s rate of descent.
We slowed the balloon''s rate of descent.
2. surface that goes downwards
ADJ.
gentle | steep
3. family origins
ADJ.
direct, lineal
She claims direct descent from Queen Victoria.
She claims direct descent from Queen Victoria.
common
Most European languages have a common descent.
Most European languages have a common descent.
mixed | Chinese, Irish, etc.
VERB + DESCENT
claim, have | trace | share
groups sharing common descent
groups sharing common descent
PREP.
by ~
She is Hungarian by descent.
She is Hungarian by descent.
~ from
He claims to have traced descent from Christopher Columbus.
He claims to have traced descent from Christopher Columbus.
PHRASES
a line of descent
Humans and other apes followed separate lines of descent from a common ancestor.
Humans and other apes followed separate lines of descent from a common ancestor.
of Mexican, Scottish, etc. descent
She is of mixed European and African descent.
She is of mixed European and African descent.