adj. & n.
adj. 1 rising. 2 Astron. rising towards the zenith. 3 Astrol. just above the eastern horizon. 4 predominant.
n. Astrol. the point of the sun's apparent path that is ascendant at a given time (Aries in the ascendant). in the ascendant 1 supreme or dominating. 2 rising; gaining power or authority.
[ ME f. OF f. L (as ASCEND, -ANT) ]