ASCENDANT • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Ascendant

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/əsˈɛndənt/ Listen

noun

Ascendant n.

1.

Ascent; height; elevation. (R.) "Sciences that were then in their highest ascendant."

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. 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.

3.

Superiority, or commanding influence; ascendency; as, one man has the ascendant over another. "Chievres had acquired over the mind of the young monarch the ascendant not only of a tutor, but of a parent."

4.

An ancestor, or one who precedes in genealogy or degrees of kindred; a relative in the ascending line; a progenitor; opposed to descendant.

adjective

Ascendent, Ascendant adj.

1.

Rising toward the zenith; above the horizon. "The constellation... about that time ascendant."

2.

Rising; ascending.

3.

Superior; surpassing; ruling. "An ascendant spirit over him." "The ascendant community obtained a surplus of wealth." "Without some power of persuading or confuting, of defending himself against accusations,... no man could possibly hold an ascendent position."

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Etymology of 'Ascendant'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Ascendant" Quotes from Famous Books

... the world when a favourably disposed band of demons was in the ascendant he would certainly have merited an earlier and more embellished appearance in this written chronicle. So far, however, nothing but omens of an ill-destined obscurity had beset his career. For many years two ambitions alone had contained his mind, both inextricably ...

— Kai Lung's Golden Hours • Ernest Bramah

... Gilbert was at home. Good fortune number two! Matty's star was surely in the ascendant! Matty sent in her card, and the nice old lady presented herself at once, remembered who Matty was, remembered how much business Mr. Molyneux used to bring to the office, and how grateful Mr. Gilbert always was. She was so glad to see Matty, and she hoped Mr. ...

— The Brick Moon, et. al. • Edward Everett Hale

... personage of great dignity and distinction as a mountain-climber) was much oftener included in the conversation than Bill Hammersley. If, however, he declared himself to be "Hamilton Swift, Junior," which was his happiest mood, Bill Hammersley and Simpledoria were in the ascendant, and there were games and contests. (Dowden, Beasley, and I all slid down the banisters on one of the Hamilton Swift, Junior, days, at which really picturesque spectacle the boy almost cried with laughter—and old Bob and his wife, who came running from the kitchen, DID cry.) He had a third appellation ...

— Beasley's Christmas Party • Booth Tarkington

... "I was not thus favoured in my nativity. The star of love was not in the ascendant, the lord of magic charms was not trembling upon my horizon, the sun of earthly happiness was not enthroned in my mid-heaven. How could it be? She had it all, this Unorna here, and Nature, generous in one mad moment, lavished upon her all there was to give. For she has all, and we have nothing, ...

— The Witch of Prague • F. Marion Crawford

... like a wild boar on his enemies. In ten minutes his artillery had taken a new position—its thunders had opened—its roar told the army, that his feather still floated, his star was still in the ascendant. ...

— Mohun, or, The Last Days of Lee • John Esten Cooke

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