descender

noun

de·​scend·​er di-ˈsen-dər How to pronounce descender (audio)
ˈdē-ˌsen-
: the part of a lowercase letter (such as p) that descends below the main body of the letter
also : a letter that has such a part

Examples of descender in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web That didn’t bode well for a white-knuckle descender like me. Lori Rackl, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2023 The landing of Chang'e 5's descender and ascender unit. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 2 Dec. 2020 The descender separated from the orbiter the next day. Jerry Dunleavy, Washington Examiner, 1 Dec. 2020 The ascenders and descenders are consequently short; in her view that gives the font a clinical, businesslike air unsuited to fiction. The Economist, 18 Dec. 2019 The pair improved readability of the Federal Highway Administration's standard alphabet by tweaking the relative heights of letters and the lengths of ascenders and descenders. Wired Staff, WIRED, 1 Mar. 2005

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'descender.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of descender was in 1802

Dictionary Entries Near descender

Cite this Entry

“Descender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/descender. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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