ascendant
Meaning
rising in power or influence.
(in astrology) just above the eastern horizon.
a position of power, dominance, or controlling influence.
Structure
Usage
the party was in the ascendant, gaining more seats with each election.
in her birth chart, leo was the ascendant sign.
his ascendant personality made him a natural leader in the group.
Etymology
the word ascendant originates from the latin verb ascendere, meaning 'to climb up,' which itself is a compound of ad- ('to') and scandere ('to climb'). the suffix -ant, derived from the latin present participle ending -antem, was adopted into english via old french, forming adjectives and agent nouns. the core semantic journey is from the literal act of climbing to the metaphorical rise in position, power, or astrological position. thus, the modern abstract meanings of dominance or rising influence are directly linked to the ancient concept of upward movement.
Analysis
ascend (from latin ascendere, meaning 'to climb up'); ant (a suffix of latin origin via french, forming adjectives meaning 'performing (a specified action)' or nouns meaning 'one who performs an action').