de·scent / diˈsent/ • n. 1. [usu. in sing.] an action of moving downward, dropping, or falling: the plane had gone into a steep descent. ∎  a downward slope, esp. a path or track: a steep, badly eroded descent. ∎  a moral, social, or psychological decline into a specified undesirable state: the ancient empire's slow descent into barbarism.2. the origin or background of a person in terms of family or nationality: American families of Hungarian descent. ∎  the transmission of qualities, property, or privileges by inheritance.3. (descent on) a sudden, violent attack: a descent on the enemy airstrip.

Descent ★½ 2007 (NC-17)

Feminist empowerment or just revenge fantasy exploitation? College grad school student Maya (Dawson) is brutally raped by date Jared (Faust) in an attack that she doesn't report and that leaves her a basket case. She seems to get back some equilibrium by hitting the clubs and getting interested in dominating DJ Adrian (Patrick), which also appears to get Maya focused on planning revenge on Jared. Dawson's worth watching but the film is only so-so. Also available in an R-rated version. 104m/ C DVD . Rosario Dawson, Chad Faust, Marcus Patrick; D: Talia Lugacy; W: Talia Lugacy, Brian Priest; C: Christopher La Vasseur, Jonathan Furman-ski; M: Alex Moulton.

DESCENT

Hereditary succession. Succession to the ownership of an estate by inheritance, or by any act of law, as distinguished from purchase. Title by descent is the title by which one person, upon the death of another, acquires the real estate of the latter as an heir at law. The title by inheritance is in all cases called descent, although by statute law the title is sometimes made to ascend. The division among those legally entitled thereto of the real property of intestates.

Descent

of woodpeckers: a flock of woodpeckers—Lipton, 1970; also descendants collectively.

descent, descent theory See KINSHIP.