† deˈscence, deˈscense Obs.
Forms: 4 dissence, 5 descens, dyscens, 5–6 descense, 6 discence, 6–7 descence.
[Two forms: ME. descens, a. OF. descens masc., ad. L. dēscensus descent, descending, f. dēscendĕre; also ME. descense, a. OF. descense fem., ad. late L. type dēscensa (dēscēsa), fem. n. f. dēscensus, pa. pple. of dēscendĕre, analogous to ns. in -ata, -ada, -ée: cf. It. descesa. The spelling descence app. represents the descens form: see defence.]
1. A going or coming down; = descent 1.
| 1543 Necess. Doctr. in Formul. Faith 234 Iesu Christ's life, death, burial, and descense to hell. 1582–8 Hist. James VI (1804) 278 In his discence..he come fornent the Colledge of Justice. 1600 Abp. Abbot Exp. Jonah 219 We all do hold the article of Christ's descense into Hell. |
b. Extension downwards: cf. descend v. 2.
| 1578 Banister Hist. Man. i. 8 The descense of y⊇ Sagittal Suture is not common either in man or woman. |
2. concr. A downward slope; a way down; = descent 2 a, 2 b.
| a 1440 Found. St. Bartholomew's 40 From the highe descense of heuynnes..hedir I descende. 1618 Bolton Florus ii. vi. 108 The very jawes of the first descence from the Alps into Italy. |
3. fig. a. ? Dejection, depression of spirits.
| 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 166 b, In suche descense it [the mynde] is moost apte to distraccyons & waueryng fantasyes. |
b. Bringing down or lowering in estimation; depreciation.
| 1560 Rolland Crt. Venus i. 287 That hir honour distres thoill nor ruine: Nor suffer it in na way haif discence. |
4. a. Genealogical extraction; = descent 7.
| c 1425 Wyntoun Cron. ix. xxvi. 106 In lineale Descens fra Sanct Margret. 1432–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 281 Soe the linealle descense of the prosapy or kynrede of Feramundus faylede by men. 1513 Bradshaw St. Werburge ii. 1212 Son to duke Leoffwin by liniall discence. 1513 Douglas æneis iii. iii. 39 From that ilk prince..Is the descence of our genealogy. |
b. Transmission by inheritance; = descent 10.
| c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. II. 402 Dissence of heritage. |