I. ˈklī-ˌmaks noun
Etymology: Late Latin, from Greek klimax, literally, ladder, from klinein to lean
Date: circa 1550
1. : a figure of speech in which a series of phrases or sentences is arranged in ascending order of rhetorical forcefulness
2.
a. : the highest point : culmination
the climax of a distinguished career
b. : the point of highest dramatic tension or a major turning point in the action (as of a play)
c. : orgasm
d. : menopause
3. : a relatively stable ecological stage or community especially of plants that is achieved through successful adaptation to an environment ; especially : the final stage in ecological succession
Synonyms: see summit
• cli·max·less adjective
II. verb
Date: 1835
transitive verb
: to bring to a climax
climax ed his boxing career with a knockout
intransitive verb
: to come to a climax
a riot climax ing in the destruction of several houses