n. [ L., from Gr. &unr_; ladder, staircase, fr. &unr_; to make to bend, to lean. See Ladder, Lean, v. i. ] 1. Upward movement; steady increase; gradation; ascent. Glanvill. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. (Rhet.) A figure in which the parts of a sentence or paragraph are so arranged that each succeeding one rises above its predecessor in impressiveness. [ 1913 Webster ]
“Tribulation worketh patience, patience experience, and experience hope” -- a happy climax. J. D. Forbes. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. The highest point; the greatest degree. [ 1913 Webster ]
We must look higher for the climax of earthly good. I. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]
To cap the climax, to surpass everything, as in excellence or in absurdity. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]