Basic Details
Word: Descend
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To move downwards from a higher place to a lower place.
Synonyms: Drop, lower, sink, fall
Antonyms: Ascend, rise, climb
Idioms and Phrases
- Descend into chaos: To move from order into disorder or confusion. Example: "After the team lost their leader, the project began to descend into chaos."
- Descend upon: To suddenly arrive in a large number. Example: "The relatives began to descend upon our house during the holidays."
Usage Examples
Example 1: As the temperature dropped, the snow began to descend from the sky.
Example 2: The hiker was careful as he chose to descend the steep mountain slope.
Example 3: When the sun set, darkness would quickly descend over the village.
Fun Fact
The word "descend" comes from the Latin word "descendere," which means to "come down" or "go down." It has been used in English since the 14th century!
Famous Quote
"To be at peace with ourselves we need to know ourselves, and we can only descend into our deeper selves through solitude." Thomas Merton
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "descend" mean?
a) To move upwards
b) To move downwards
c) To stay still
d) To fly high
Answer: b) To move downwards
2. Which of these is a synonym of "descend"?
a) Climb
b) Lower
c) Rise
d) Jump
Answer: b) Lower
3. Which word is an antonym of "descend"?
a) Fall
b) Drop
c) Ascend
d) Sink
Answer: c) Ascend
4. Which sentence uses "descend" correctly?
a) The bird began to descend towards the ground.
b) The rocket decided to descend into space.
c) I like to descend in the swimming pool.
d) The rabbit will descend from high up in the trees.
Answer: a) The bird began to descend towards the ground.
5. Which idiom means the same as "descend" in a context of chaos?
a) Ascend into greatness
b) Descend into chaos
c) Fly high
d) Rise to the occasion
Answer: b) Descend into chaos
