I. (ˈ)klī|maktərik also |klīˌmak|terik adjective
also cli·mac·ter·i·cal | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|terə̇kəl
Etymology: climacteric from Latin climactericus, from Greek klimaktērikos, from klimaktēr; climacterical from Latin climacteric us + English -al
1. : constituting or relating to a climacteric (as a climacterium)
2. : critical , crucial , climactic
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a. : a major turning point or critical stage in a person's life
the first climacteric of his maturity — W.H.Gardner
also : a decisive or critical period or stage in any course, career, or developmental process
the Middle Ages advanced to their climacteric — H.O.Taylor
b. : menopause ; also : a corresponding phenomenon of reduced sexual activity and competence in the male
2. : an individual passing through a climacteric (as a climacterium)
3. : the maximum to which the respiratory rate of fruit rises just prior to full ripening and from which it falls during senescence