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Definition of descender

descender

/dɪˈsɛndər/
de · scend · er
Plural:descenders
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descender Lexical Profile

descender Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

In typography, the portion of a lowercase letter (such as g, j, p, q, or y) that extends below the baseline of a font.

Example

"The calligrapher added an elegant flourish to the descender of every lowercase letter 'y' on the invitation."

2

A mechanical friction device used by mountaineers, cavers, and rescue workers to control their speed while rappelling down a fixed rope.

Example

"Before backing over the edge of the cliff, she double-checked that her rope was properly threaded through the descender."

3

A person or thing that moves downward, especially a cyclist skilled at riding rapidly down steep mountain roads.

Example

"Known as the most fearless descender in the peloton, he gained nearly a minute on his rivals down the Alpine pass."

Antonyms
View all antonyms for descender

• Rhymes for descender

• Nearby Words

descend
descendable
descendant
descender
descent
deschutes
descramble

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Late Middle English from the verb descend and the agentive suffix -er; descend comes via Old French from Latin descendere, combining de- ('down') and scandere ('to climb').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Descender. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/descender
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