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).
Phrases and idioms:
in the ascendant
1. supreme or dominating.
2 rising; gaining power or authority.
Etymology: ME f. OF f. L (as ASCEND, -ANT)