| 释义 |
cli·mac·ter·ic
I. \(ˈ)klī|maktərik also |klīˌmak|terik\ adjective
also cli·mac·ter·i·cal \| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|terə̇kəl\
Etymology: climacteric from Latin climactericus, from Greek klimaktērikos, from klimaktēr; climacterical from Latin climactericus + English -al
1. : constituting or relating to a climacteric (as a climacterium)
2. : critical, crucial, climactic
II. noun
(-s)
1.
a. : a major turning point or critical stage in a person's life
< the first climacteric of his maturity — W.H.Gardner >
also : a decisive or critical period or stage in any course, career, or developmental process
< the Middle Ages advanced to their climacteric — H.O.Taylor >
b. : menopause; also : a corresponding phenomenon of reduced sexual activity and competence in the male
2. : an individual passing through a climacteric (as a climacterium)
3. : the maximum to which the respiratory rate of fruit rises just prior to full ripening and from which it falls during senescence |