'ascendancy' originates from the Latin word 'ascendere,' where 'ad-' meant 'toward' and 'scandere' meant 'to climb.'

'ascendere' transformed into the French word 'ascendance,' and eventually became the modern English word 'ascendancy.'

Initially, it meant 'to climb or rise,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a position of power or influence.'