'descent' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'descente', where 'de-' meant 'down' and 'scendere' meant 'to climb'.

'descente' transformed into the Middle English word 'descente', and eventually became the modern English word 'descent'.

Initially, it meant 'to climb down', but over time it evolved into its current meanings of 'moving downwards' and 'lineage'.