climacteric
[adjective]
Synonyms: acute, critical, crucial, desperate, dire

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

climacteric adjective & noun. [klʌɪ'makt(ǝ)rɪk, klʌɪmak'tɛrɪk] M16.
[French climactérique or Latin climactericus, from Greek klimaktērikos, from klimaktēr critical period, from klimax, -mak-: see CLIMAX, -IC.]
A. adjective.
1. Pertaining to or constituting a critical period in human life; critical, fatal. M16.
b. Medicine. Occurring at or characteristic of a period of life when (male) fertility and sexual activity are in decline; (in women) menopausal. E19.

2. = CLIMACTIC. L18.
b. noun. A supposedly critical stage in human life, esp. occurring at ages that are multiples of seven years; a critical period, point, or epoch. M17.
Phrases: grand climacteric (designating) the 63rd year of life, supposed to be specially critical.

■ climacter noun = CLIMACTERIC noun E-M17.

■ climac'terical adjective & noun = CLIMACTERIC L16.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲