descend  [dɪˋsɛnd] V.  

to move from a higher level to a lower one 

Our plane started to descend.

I heard his footsteps descending the stairs.

1.下來，下降[（+from）]

You can ride the escalator up but have to descend on foot. 你可以搭電梯上去，但要自己走下來。

2.下傾，下斜The mountain path descends to the lake. 山路下斜通向湖邊。

3. 傳下來，來自於[（+from）]The custom has descended to our day. 這一習俗一直傳到今天。

4.突然襲擊；突然拜訪[（+on/upon）]Bob and his girl friend descended on us for the weekend. 鮑伯和他女友突然來我家過週末。

5.為……的後裔[H][（+from）]He is descended from Confucius. 他是孔子的後裔。

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decline    [dɪˋklaɪn]   v.

a decrease in the quality, quantity, or importance of something

There has been a decline in the size of families.

The island’s population initially numbered 180, but there was a gradual decline until only 40 people were left.

1. 下降，下跌；減少；衰退，衰落As one grows older one's memory declines. 人的記憶力隨著年齡增長而衰退。

Unemployment declined to 4 percent last month. 上個月失業率降至百分之四。

2. 婉拒；謝絕[+to-v]She declined their invitation. 她婉拒了他們的邀請。

She declined to have lunch with her friend, saying that she wasn't feeling well. 她說她身體不舒服，婉拒了與她的朋友共進午餐。

n. 下降；減少[S1]There is a decline in real wages. 實際薪資有所減少。.

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A continous decline in viewership makes it doubtful the TV series can continue airing the next season.

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