1. 下降;降落
    A descent is a movement from a higher to a lower level or position.

    e.g. Sixteen of the youngsters set off for help, but during the descent three collapsed in the cold and rain.
           16 名年轻人出发去寻求帮助，但在下山过程中有 3 人因寒冷和大雨晕倒了。
    e.g. ...the crash of an Airbus A300 on its descent into Kathmandu airport.
           空客 A300 在加德满都机场降落时的坠毁

2. 斜坡;斜面
    A descent is a surface that slopes downwards, for example the side of a steep hill.

    e.g. On the descents, cyclists spin past cars, freewheeling downhill at tremendous speed.
           在坡道上，自行车手飞驰着超越了一辆辆汽车，靠着惯性一路疾冲下山。

3. (形势的)恶化;(人的)堕落，沦落
    When you want to emphasize that a situation becomes very bad, you can talk about someone's or something's descent into that situation.

    e.g. The only lasting solution lies in a political settlement. Without it, their descent into chaos will be guaranteed.
           唯一的长久之计是通过政治手段解决。否则，他们势必会陷入一片混乱。
    e.g. ...his swift descent from respected academic to struggling small businessman.
           他从一名受人尊敬的学者到一个度日艰难的小商人的瞬间沦落

4. 血统;家世;出身
    You use descent to talk about a person's family background, for example their nationality or social status.

    e.g. All the contributors were of African descent.
           所有的撰稿人都是非裔人士。