kəˈtastəsə̇s noun
( plural catasta·ses -əˌsēz)
Etymology: Greek katastasis settlement, establishment, from kathistanai to set in order, from kata- cata- + histanai to set, place — more at stand
1. : the dramatic complication immediately preceding the climax of a play
2. : the climax of a play — compare catastrophe , epitasis , protasis