ascendant

Noun · Adjective
Synonyms: ascendentancestorantecedentrootascensivedominating

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

  1. position or state of being dominant or in control“that idea was in the ascendant”Synonyms: ascendent
  2. someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)Synonyms: ancestorascendentantecedentroot

Adjective (2)

  1. tending or directed upward“rooted and ascendant strength like that of foliage — John Ruskin”Synonyms: ascendentascensive
  2. most powerful or important or influential“the economically ascendant class”“D-day is considered the dominating event of the war in Europe”Synonyms: ascendentdominating
Advertisement

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Ascendant \As*cend"ant\, Ascendent \As*cend"ent\, a.

1.Rising toward the zenith; above the horizon. [1913 Webster]

The constellation . . . about that time ascendant.— Browne.[1913 Webster]

2.Rising; ascending. --Ruskin. [1913 Webster]

3.Superior; surpassing; ruling. [1913 Webster]

An ascendant spirit over him.— South.[1913 Webster]
The ascendant community obtained a surplus of wealth.— J. S. Mill.[1913 Webster]
Without some power of persuading or confuting, of defending himself against accusations, . . . no man could possibly hold an ascendent position.— Grote.[1913 Webster]
Ascendant \As*cend"ant\, n. [F. ascendant, L. ascendens; p. pr. of ascendere.]

1.Ascent; height; elevation. [R.] [1913 Webster]

Sciences that were then in their highest ascendant.— Temple.[1913 Webster]

2.(Astrol.) The horoscope, or that degree of the ecliptic which rises above the horizon at the moment of one's birth; supposed to have a commanding influence on a person's life and fortune. [1913 Webster]

Note: Hence the phrases

To be in the ascendant, to have commanding power or influence, and

Lord of the ascendant, one who has possession of such power or influence; as, to rule, for a while, lord of the ascendant. --Burke. [1913 Webster]

3.Superiority, or commanding influence; ascendency; as, one man has the ascendant over another. [1913 Webster]

Chievres had acquired over the mind of the young monarch the ascendant not only of a tutor, but of a parent.— Robertson.[1913 Webster]

4.An ancestor, or one who precedes in genealogy or degrees of kindred; a relative in the ascending line; a progenitor; -- opposed to descendant. --Ayliffe. [1913 Webster] Ascendant

Advertisement