Definition of "descendant" in 英语

adjective

1. Descending; going down.

   • The elevator resumed its descendant trajectory.

2. Descending from a biological ancestor.

   • Power in the kingdom is transferred in a descendant manner.

3. Proceeding from a figurative ancestor or source.

noun

1. One of the progeny of a specified person, at any distance of time or through any number of generations.

   • Meronyms: issue, line, progeny; family; clan
   • The patriarch survived many descendants: five children, a dozen grandchildren, even a great grandchild.

2. (figuratively) A thing that 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.

4. (linguistics) A language that is descended from another.

   • English and Scots are the descendants of Old English.

5. (linguistics) A word or form in one language that is descended from a counterpart in an ancestor language.

6. (astrology) The intersection of the western (setting) horizon and the ecliptic, its ecliptical longitude; the astrological sign it corresponds to.