climax

1 the highest point of anything conceived of as growing or developing or unfolding; "the climax of the artist's career"; "in the flood tide of his success" [syn: flood tide]

2 the decisive moment in a novel or play; "the deathbed scene is the climax of the play" [syn: culmination]

3 the moment of most intense pleasure in sexual intercourse [syn: orgasm, sexual climax, coming]

4 the most severe stage of a disease

5 arrangement of clauses in ascending order of forcefulness v : end, especially to reach a final or climactic stage; "The meeting culminated in a tearful embrace" [syn: culminate]

English

Etymology

From climax from κλῖμαξ from κλίνω.

Pronunciation

Noun

1. The point of greatest intensity or force in an ascending series; a culmination
   • 1949 - Bruce Kiskaddon, George R. Stewart Earth Abides

     The snowshoe-rabbits build up through the years until they reach a climax when the seem to be everywhere; then with dramatic suddenness their pestilence falls upon them.

2. The turning point in a plot or dramatic action, especially one marking a change in the protagonist's affairs.
3. A stage of ecological development where a community of organisms, is stable and capable of perpetuating itself.
4. An orgasm.

Derived terms

• climax community

Verb

1. To reach or bring to a climax

In general, a climax is a point of greatest intensity or force in an ascending series; i.e., a culmination. The term "climax" has many specific connotations and uses in English:

• Climax (narrative)
• Climax (figure of speech)
• Climax community
• Climax vegetation in an ecosystem
• Sexual climax, another term for orgasm

Brand names and titles

• Climax locomotive, a geared steam locomotive
• The Climax, a 1944 movie
• Climax!, a 1950s television series
• Coventry Climax, an engine manufacturer
• Climax Group, a global game development studio
• Climax Entertainment, a video game studio based in Japan

Personal name

• John Climacus (John Climax), a 7th century Christian monk at the monastery on Mount Sinai

Musical groups and songs

• Climax (band), a 1970s American rock band best known for their hit "Precious and Few"
• Climax Blues Band, a British blues-based rock band formed in 1968.
• Climax (song), a 2000 song by hip hop group Slum Village.

Places

* Climax, Saskatchewan

• A historical road between Argos and Orneae with Lyrcea between the two cities
• Climax, Colorado
• Climax, Georgia
• Climax, Kansas
• Climax, Michigan
• Climax Township, Michigan
• Climax, Minnesota
• Climax Springs, Missouri
• Climax, North Carolina
• Climax, Pennsylvania

References

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