Etymology : Middle English, from Latin ascendere, from ad- + scandere to climb; more at SCAN
Pronunciation : &-'send
Function : verb
Date : 14th century
1. to climb; go, come or move from a lover to a higher level (Often formal usage).
2. climb, go up; rise up. ascend\as*cend"\ , v. i. [imp. & p. p. ascended; p. pr. & vb. n. ascending.] [l. ascendere; ad + scandere to climb, mount. see:
scan.].
3. to move upward; to mount; to go up; to rise; -- opposed to descend. higher yet that star ascends. --bowring. i ascend unto my father and your father. 17.note: formerly used with up. the smoke of it ascended up to heaven.
4. to rise, in a figurative sense; to proceed from an inferior to a superior degree, from mean to noble objects, from particulars to generals, from modern to ancient times, from one note to another more acute, etc.; as, our inquiries ascend to the remotest antiquity; to ascend to our first progenitor.
5. To move upward; to mount; to go up; to rise; opposed to descend.
6. To rise, in a figurative sense; to proceed from an inferior to a superior degree, from mean to noble objects, from particulars to generals, from modern to ancient times, from one note to another more acute, etc.; as, our inquiries ascend to the remotest antiquity; to ascend to our first progenitor.
7. To go or move upward upon or along; to climb; to mount; to go up the top of; as, to ascend a hill, a ladder, a tree, a river, a throne. travel up, "We ascended the mountain"; "go up a ladder"; "The mountaineers slowly ascended the steep slope" slope upwards; "The path ascended to the top of the hill" go along towards source; "The boat ascended the Delaware" become king or queen; "She ascended to the throne after the King's death" go back in order of genealogical succession; "Inheritance may not ascend linearly".
8. 1. If you ascend a hill or staircase, you go up it. Mrs Clayton had to hold Lizzie's hand as they ascended the steps Then we ascend steeply through forests of rhododendron. ¡Ù descend.
9. If a staircase or path ascends, it leads up to a higher position. ¡Ù descend.
10. If something ascends, it moves up, usually vertically or into the air. Keep the drill steady while it ascends and descends ¡Ù descend.
11. If someone ascends to an important position, they achieve it or are appointed to it. When someone ascends a throne, they become king, queen, or pope. see also:
ascending.