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Descender: meaning, definitions and examples

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descender

 

[ dɪˈsɛndər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

writing terms

A descender is a part of a lowercase letter that extends below the baseline of a font. It is commonly found in letters such as 'g', 'j', 'p', 'q', and 'y'. The descender contributes to the font's overall style and legibility in typesetting.

Synonyms

lowercase stem, tail

Examples of usage

  • The descender in the letter 'g' makes it unique.
  • In typography, descenders are important for readability.
  • The design of a font can greatly influence its descenders.
Context #2 | Noun

geography

A descender refers to a person or thing that descends, such as a mountain climber who is going down a slope or a descent in a geographical feature. The term is often used in the context of exploration or adventure.

Synonyms

descendant, downhill traveler

Examples of usage

  • The descender made his way down the cliff with caution.
  • We watched as the descenders carefully navigated the rocky terrain.
  • The area is known for its challenging descenders.

Translations

Translations of the word "descender" in other languages:

🇵🇹 descendente

🇮🇳 नीचे आने वाला

🇩🇪 Absteiger

🇮🇩 penurun

🇺🇦 спад

🇵🇱 zstępujący

🇯🇵 降下するもの

🇫🇷 descendant

🇪🇸 descensor

🇹🇷 iniciatör

🇰🇷 하강하는 것

🇸🇦 النازل

🇨🇿 sestupující

🇸🇰 klesajúci

🇨🇳 下降者

🇸🇮 sestopajoč

🇮🇸 niðurgangandi

🇰🇿 түсуші

🇬🇪 დასაწყვეტი

🇦🇿 enmə

🇲🇽 descensor

Word origin

The word 'descender' originates from the Latin 'descendere', which means 'to go down'. This Latin term is derived from 'de-' meaning 'down' and 'scandere' meaning 'to climb'. The use of 'descender' in English dates back to the late 19th century, primarily in the context of typography and printing. Over time, the definition has expanded to include various contexts such as geography and physical activities. The distinction between the typographic use and the general term emphasizes the breadth of the word's application in both design and descriptive contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,124, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.