CLIMACTERIC

I. adjective Etymology: Latin ~us, from Greek klimaktērikos, from klimaktēr critical point, literally, rung of a ladder, from klimak-, klimax ladder Date: 1582 constituting or relating to a ~, critical , crucial , II. noun Date: circa 1630 a major turning point or critical stage, 2. menopause , a period in the life of a male corresponding to female menopause and usually occurring with less well-defined physiological and psychological changes, the marked and sudden rise in the respiratory rate of fruit just prior to full ripening