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ascendant

ascending, rising

adjective noun ah-sahn-DAHN Rare

Origin: Latin ascendentem, from ascendere 'to climb'

Also means

dominant ancestor (astrology)

Usage Note

Ascendant as an adjective means moving upward — une trajectoire ascendante ('a rising trajectory'). As a noun in astrology, l'ascendant is the zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at birth, commonly discussed in French horoscopes. In genealogy, les ascendants means one's ancestors (contrasted with les descendants).

Examples

"Sa carrière suit une courbe ascendante."

Natural Translation

His career is on an upward curve.

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