Origin: 1300–50; ME ascencioun (< AF) < L ascēnsiōn- (s. of ascēnsiō), equiv. to ascēns(us) risen up (ptp. of ascendere, equiv. to ascend- climb up (see ascend) + -tus ptp. suffix) + -iōn--ion
In Christianity, the bodily rising of Jesus into heaven on the 40th day after his Resurrection.
A feast celebrating this event, observed on Ascension Day.
[Middle English ascensioun, from Old French ascention, from Latin ascēnsiō, ascēnsiōn-, from ascēnsus, past participle of ascendere, to ascend; see ascend.] as·cen'sion·al adj.