[as.cend] vb [ME, fr. L ascendere, fr. ad- + scandere to climb--more at scan] vi (14c) 1 a: to move upward b: to slope upward
2. a: to rise from a lower level or degree b: to go back in time or in order of genealogical succession ~ vt 1: to go or move up "~ a staircase"
2: to succeed to: occupy "~ the throne" -- as.cend.able or as.cend.ible adj