ascender

Everyday

1. (handwriting, printing) An ascender is the part of a lowercase letter that goes up above the middle of the line, as in b, d, f, h, k, l and t. tree →
2. An ascender is a climbing tool that grips a rope so a climber can go up it. tree →
3. An ascender is a person or thing that goes up. tree →

In the lessons

Used in handwriting lessons («tall letters with ascenders»), typography and design, and in climbing and caving. Compare «descender» (the tail going down in g, j, p, q, y).

Examples

• The letters b, d and h have ascenders. tree →
• Make your ascenders tall and straight. tree →
• The letter «g» has a descender, not an ascender. tree →
• The climber clipped an ascender onto the rope. tree →
• Cavers use ascenders to climb out of deep holes. tree →
• In joined-up writing, loop your ascenders neatly. tree →

Note

From «ascend» (to go up). Opposite: «descender». Capital letters do not usually count as having ascenders.