Definition

A person or thing that goes down or descends, often used in printing to refer to parts of certain letters that extend below the baseline.

Example

In typography, the letter 'g' is an example of a descender because its tail goes below the line.

Conversation

Did you know that the letter 'g' has a descender part?

Really? I never thought about how letters are structured.

Yeah, it's interesting how a descender makes certain letters unique.

Definitely! I should pay more attention to typography.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Descender → It is formed from "de-" (meaning down) and "scendere" (meaning to climb or to go). The word describes someone or something that goes down or descends from a higher place.

Memory Tip

Think of going 'down' ('de-') from a higher position ('scendere') — that's why descender means someone or something that goes down.

Visually Confused Words