əˈsent also aˈ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: from ascend, after English descend: descent
1.
a. : the act of ascending or rising : a moving or mounting upward
the ascent of vapors from the earth
b. : a going, traveling, or climbing up (as to the top of a hill or the source of a river)
their ascent of the mountain
his ascent of the river in a canoe
c. : the way or means of ascending : an upward slope or rising grade : acclivity
the ascent by which he goes up on to the roof of the house to get in at the window of his workshop — R.F.Kilvert
d. : the degree of elevation or upward slope : inclination , gradient
the road has an ascent of six degrees
2. : a rising or ascending from a lower level or degree : advancement especially in social status, intellectual achievement, or reputation : progress
the ascent from the working class to the middle class — Liam O'Flaherty
the long ages of struggle and ascent — B.N.Cardozo
3. : a going back in time or upward in order of genealogical succession
any person in line of ascent from the claimant to the common ancestor — Morris Ploscowe