descent

descent in anthropology, method of classifying individuals in terms of their various kinship connections. Matrilineal and patrilineal descent refer to the mother's or father's sib (or other group), respectively. Bilateral descent refers to descent derived from both sibs equally. Descent groups are of basic significance in the social structure of most nonindustrial societies. They constitute a series of social groups that dominate the domestic organization and the process of socialization, the use and transfer of property, the settlement of disputes, religious activities such as ancestor worship, and certain political relationships. Some lineage systems extend to the limits of the society itself. The Tiv of E Nigeria, for example, all consider themselves descendants in the male line of an eponymous ancestor, and the genealogy of this progeny defines the complete outline of descent group structure.

de·scent / diˈsent/ • n. 1. [usu. in sing.] an action of moving downward, dropping, or falling: the plane had gone into a steep descent. ∎  a downward slope, esp. a path or track: a steep, badly eroded descent. ∎  a moral, social, or psychological decline into a specified undesirable state: the ancient empire's slow descent into barbarism. 2. the origin or background of a person in terms of family or nationality: American families of Hungarian descent. ∎  the transmission of qualities, property, or privileges by inheritance. 3. (descent on) a sudden, violent attack: a descent on the enemy airstrip.