ascensus Latin · revision 32075

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=81–43 BC, Cicero|origins=ine-pro *sknd-e/o-}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''ascēnsus''' ''m'' (genitive ascēnsūs); fourth declension^(Wiktionary)

+ The spelling ''adscensus'' is also found.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|la|ascendō|-tus|t1=to climb up]], a fourth-declension action noun.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)^(Wiktionary) The verb is [[m|la|ad-]] with [[m|la|scandō|t=to climb]], which de Vaan traces to [[itc-pro|*skand-e/o-|t=to ascend]] and [[ine-pro|*sknd-e/o-|t=to jump up, ascend]].^(de Vaan 2008) Cognate with [[sga|sceinnid|t=to jump]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Köbler dates it from Cicero,^(Köbler 2010) who in the speech against Piso sets a commander's authority, rather than the rampart of the Alps, against the ascent and crossing of the Gauls.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is the act of climbing up, an ascent, and in war the scaling of walls, as in Livy.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) It also means a way up, a flight of steps, and so the means of ascent to heaven that Cicero says virtues give to men.^(OLD 2012) Lucretius uses it of the height of mountains, and Cicero of the many steps in virtue.^(OLD 2012) Other uses are going on board a ship and an animal's mounting for mating, and ''Ascensus'' is named as a god in Varro and Tertullian.^(OLD 2012)^(TLL)

+

+ Church Latin glosses it ascent, means of ascent and chariot.^(Stelten 1995) In medieval Latin it can mean sailing up a river.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of the crossing of the Alps and of the ascent to heaven.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 96–55 BC – Lucretius of the height of mountains.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 50 BC – Caesar of keeping men from climbing up.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 59 BC–17 AD – Livy of scaling a wall.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An act of climbing up, [[m|en|ascent]]; the scaling of walls.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A way up; a flight of steps.^(OLD 2012)^(Stelten 1995)^(Wiktionary)

+ # Height, the distance climbed.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Going on board a ship, [[m|en|embarkation]].^(OLD 2012)

+ # An animal's mounting for mating.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A stage, step in a development.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' A [[m|en|chariot]].^(Stelten 1995)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Sailing up a river.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[ascendo|alt=ascendō]]

+ * [[scando|alt=scandō]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}