descend (redirected from were descended from)

descend (up)on someone or something 

1. . Lit. [for something] to come down or fall upon someone or something. Flakes of fluffy snow descended upon the gentle slopes.

2. . Fig. [for people] to arrive or come to someone or something in great numbers. The petitioners descended upon the mayor's office in droves.

descend from someone

or some group [for a living creature] to come from a particular set of ancestors. I descend from a large family of Dutch traders. Wally is descended from Daniel Boone.

descend from something

to move down from something. The bird descended from the top of the tree to a lower branch. Take care when you descend from the ladder.

descend into something

to go down into something. The butler descended into the cellar for another bottle of wine. Fred descended into the canyon on an organized tour.

descend to something 

1. . Lit. to go down to something. I must descend to the lower level to greet the guests. Gerald descended to the front door to see who was there.

2. Fig. to condescend to do something; to stoop to doing something; to lower oneself to do something bad. I refuse to descend to the performance of such menial duties. I will not descend to a life of crime.