ascent
ascent — noun
1. an instance of climbing toward the top of a mountain, hill, or other high place,
an instance of climbing toward the top of a mountain, hill, or other high place, especially as a planned journey on foot.
Yael finished her first ascent of Mount Fuji just before sunrise.
ascent of + [named peak]
The team made a slow ascent through deep snow and freezing wind.
make a + [adjective] + ascent
Bad weather forced the climbers to abandon their ascent at 7,000 metres.
The ascent took six hours, but the view from the top was worth it.
Hiro broke his ankle during the final ascent to the summit.
- descent
the act of going down the same kind of route
文法句型
the ascent of [mountain/peak]
make an ascent
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of' + a named peak or place. Distinguish from sense 2: this names the action of climbing, while sense 2 names the slope or path itself.
常見錯誤
2. a piece of road, track, or hillside that rises from a lower point to a higher on
a piece of road, track, or hillside that rises from a lower point to a higher one — for example, the steep stretch of a mountain trail or a hill on a cycling route.
The road becomes a steep ascent just past the small village of Brienz.
steep ascent
Imani pushed her bike up the long ascent to the lighthouse.
long ascent to + [place]
A narrow ascent winds through pine trees to the old stone chapel.
The final ascent before the finish line breaks many runners every year.
- descent
the downward stretch of the same path
文法句型
a [adjective] ascent
the ascent to [place]
用法筆記
Subject is usually a road, path, or trail; describes the terrain itself, not the action of moving up it. Often paired with adjectives of steepness ('gentle', 'steep', 'sharp').
常見錯誤
3. the process by which a person, group, or movement moves up to greater fame, powe
the process by which a person, group, or movement moves up to greater fame, power, or influence — for example, a politician reaching national office or a small company becoming a market leader.
The young senator's rapid ascent surprised even her closest advisers.
rapid ascent (formal register)
The book traces Jin Aurelius's ascent from soldier to emperor.
ascent from X to Y
Few people predicted the small studio's ascent to the top of the film industry.
Her ascent within the company began with a single bold proposal.
- rise
more neutral and far more common in everyday speech
- advancement
step-by-step progress, often within an organisation
- climb
informal; 'his climb to the top'
文法句型
[possessive] ascent to [position]
rapid ascent
用法筆記
Formal register; common in journalism, biography, and political writing. Often modified by 'rapid', 'meteoric', or 'steady', and followed by 'to' + a position of power or fame.