descent /dɪˈsɛnt/ CET6 TEM4

• 1. 

  N-VAR A descent is a movement from a higher to a lower level or position. 下降

  例：

  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

  例：

  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]

  例：

  ...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]

  例：

  All the contributors were of African descent.

  所有捐助者都是非洲血统。