noun
ascendant
The zodiac sign rising on the eastern horizon at someone's birth.
The astrologer calculates the child's ascendant from the recorded birth time.
Etymology
The source verb means to climb or rise. The astrological noun applies that upward movement to the zodiac sign rising over the eastern horizon at the moment of birth.
More examples
- Her chart lists Libra as the ascendant.
- The book explains the role of the ascendant in astrology.
- Two birth charts can have different ascendants.
Forms
ascendant · ascendants
Similar words
- rising sign
- The common alternative name for the same astrological position.