Being in control; superiority, or commanding influence; ascendency.
One man has the ascendant over another.
An ancestor (antonym of descendant)
(usu. followed by to) A royal heir assuming (a place of power)
Given his father's ghastly demise, one would not expect such glee from the ascendant to his throne.
Ascent; height; elevation.
The horoscope, or that degree of the ecliptic which rises above the horizon at the moment of one's birth; supposed to have a commanding influence on a person's life and fortune.