descendant

Definition of descendant

Alternative forms

• descendent

Etymology

Middle English dessendaunte, from Middle French, from Latin dēscendēns, present participle of descendere, itself from dē + scandere ("climb, ascend").

Pronunciation

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Adjective

descendant (comparative more descendant, superlative most descendant)

1. descending from a biological ancestor
2. proceeding from a figurative ancestor or source

Antonyms

• ascendant, ascendent, ascending

Noun

descendant (plural descendants)

1. (literally) One who is the progeny of someone at any distance of time
   
   The patriarch survived many descendants: five children, a dozen grandchildren, even a great grandchild.
   
   
2. (figuratively) One which derives directly from a given precursor or source
   
   This famous medieval manuscript has many descendants
   
   
3. (biology) A later evolutionary type
   
   Dogs evolved as descendants of early wolves.

Antonyms

• ascendant
• ancestor

Derived terms

• direct descendant
• indirect descendant

See also

• offspring
• offshoot
• progeny