Climax Definition
klīmăks
climaxed, climaxes, climaxing
noun
climaxes
The point of greatest intensity or force in an ascending series or progression; a culmination.
American Heritage
A rhetorical series of ideas, images, etc. arranged progressively so that the most forceful is last.
Webster's New World
A moment of great or culminating intensity in a narrative or drama, especially the conclusion of a crisis.
American Heritage
A final, self-perpetuating community of plants and animals that develops in a particular climate, soil, etc.: it will persist as long as the same conditions prevail.
Webster's New World
The turning point in a plot or dramatic action.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
- cliffhanger
- anticlimax
- nadir. See syn. study at summit.summit
- depression
- nadir
verb
climaxed, climaxes, climaxing
To bring to or reach a climax.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
- reach the zenith
- bring to a head
- come-to-a-head
- reach a peak
- rise to a crescendo
- cap-off
- top off
- end
- tower
- consummate
- fulfill
- accomplish
- come to bring to a climax
- finish
- peak
Origin of Climax
-
From Latin clīmax, from Ancient Greek κλῖμαξ (klimaks, “a ladder, a staircase, a climax in rhetoric”), from κλίνω (klinō, “I lean, slant”).
From Wiktionary
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Latin clīmax rhetorical climax from Greek klīmax ladder klei- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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