climacteric
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1cli·mac·ter·ic
adjective \klī-ˈmak-t(ə-)rik; ˌklī-ˌmak-ˈter-ik, -ˈtir-\Definition of CLIMACTERIC
1
: constituting or relating to a climacteric
Examples of CLIMACTERIC
- <as the war reached its climacteric phase, the atrocities dramatically increased, both in number and brutality>
Origin of CLIMACTERIC
Latin climactericus, from Greek klimaktērikos, from klimaktēr critical point, literally, rung of a ladder, from klimak-, klimax ladder
First Known Use: 1582
Related to CLIMACTERIC
- Synonyms
- apocalyptic (also apocalyptical), climactic
Rhymes with CLIMACTERIC
2climacteric
nounDefinition of CLIMACTERIC
1
: a major turning point or critical stage
2
a : menopause b : a period in the life of a male corresponding to female menopause and usually occurring with less well-defined physiological and psychological changes
3
: the marked and sudden rise in the respiratory rate of fruit just prior to full ripening
Examples of CLIMACTERIC
- <historians attempting to pinpoint the Roman Empire's climacteric, that precise moment when it began its long downhill slide>
First Known Use of CLIMACTERIC
circa 1630
Related to CLIMACTERIC
Other Physiology Terms
Learn More About CLIMACTERIC
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: climactic
Previous Word in the Dictionary: climacterial
All Words Near: climacteric
Previous Word in the Dictionary: climacterial
All Words Near: climacteric
Seen & Heard 
What made you want to look up climacteric? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
