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Of or pertaining to descent; moving downwards. Descending constellations or signs (Astron.), those through which the planets descent toward the south. -- Descending node (Astron.), that point in a planet's orbit where it intersects the ecliptic in passing southward. -- Descending series (Math.), a series in which eac…

In a descending manner.

In a condescending manner. Atterbury.

the earth, as the side of a hill, considered as ascending, in opposition to declivity, or descending; an upward slope; ascent.

a light ladder hung over the side of a ship at the gangway, useful in ascending from, or descending to, small boats.

ures and colors borne in shields, banners, etc., as marks of dignity and distinction, and descending from father to son.

A curve, in which a body, starting from a given point, and descending solely by the force of gravity, will reach another given point in a shorter time than it could by any other path. This curve of quickest descent, as it is sometimes called, is, in a vacuum, the same as the cycloid.

to the bronchi and their ramifications in the lungs. Bronchial arteries, branches of the descending aorta, accompanying the bronchia in all their ramifications. -- Bronchial cells, the air cells terminating the bronchia. -- Bronchial glands, glands whose functions are unknown, seated along the bronchia. -- Bronchia…

To spring with quick plunging leaps, descending with the fore legs rigid and the head held as low down as possible; -- said of a vicious horse or mule.

taining to, or characterized by, that form of pulse tracing, or sphygmogram, in which the descending portion of the curve is marked by secondary elevations due to two or more expansions of the artery in the same beat. -- Ca*tac"rotism (#), n.

Ascending and descending fresh streams from and to the sea, as the salmon; anadromous. [R.]

Descending from the same stock or ancestor, but not in the same line or branch or one from the other; -- opposed to lineal.

The act of condescending; voluntary descent from one's rank or dignity in intercourse with an inferior; courtesy toward inferiors. It forbids pride . . . and commands humility, modesty, and condescension to others. Tillotson. Such a dignity and condescension . . . as are suitable to a superior nature. Addison.…

motion (Mus.), the progression of parts in opposite directions, one ascending, the other descending.

. A heavy pump rod or plunger, raised by the steam, forces up the water by its weight, in descending.

Angle of declination, the angle made by a descending line, or plane, with a horizontal plane. -- Circle of declination, a circle parallel to the celestial equator. -- Declination compass (Physics), a compass arranged for finding the declination of the magnetic needle. -- Declination of the compass or needle, the hor…

Descending gradually; moderately steep; sloping; downhill.

nation downward; slope; -- opposed to acclivity, or ascent; the same slope, considered as descending, being a declivity, which, considered as ascending, is an acclivity.

Angle of depression (Geod.), one which a descending line makes with a horizontal plane. -- Depression of the dewpoint (Meteor.), the number of degreees that the dew-point is lower than the actual temperature of the atmosphere. -- Depression of the pole, its apparent sinking, as the spectator goes toward the equator.…

Descending; falling; proceeding from an ancestor or source. More than mortal grace Speaks thee descendent of ethereal race. Pope.