climax

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the highest point of anything conceived of as growing or developing or unfolding
  2. noun the decisive moment in a novel or play
  3. noun the moment of most intense pleasure in sexual intercourse

Etymology

From Latin clīmax, from Ancient Greek κλῖμαξ (klîmax, “ladder, staircase, [rhetorical] climax”), from κλίνω (klínō, “to lean, slant”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

flood tide

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