ascendent

• HYPHEN: as=cend=ent

CIDE DICTIONARY

ascendent, a. 

•  Rising toward the zenith; above the horizon.  [1913 Webster]

  "The constellation . . . about that time ascendant."  [1913 Webster]
•  Rising; ascending.  Ruskin.  [1913 Webster]
•  Superior; surpassing; ruling.  [1913 Webster]

  "An ascendant spirit over him."  [1913 Webster]

  "The ascendant community obtained a surplus of wealth."  [1913 Webster]

  "Without some power of persuading or confuting, of defending himself against accusations, . . . no man could possibly hold an ascendent position."  [1913 Webster]

ascendent, adj. 

•  tending or directed upward.  [WordNet 1.5]

  "rooted and ascendant strength like that of foliage."  [WordNet 1.5]
•  having the most important influence.  [WordNet 1.5]

ascendent, n. 

•  position or state of being dominant or in control.  [WordNet 1.5]
•  someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote that a grandparent).  [WordNet 1.5]