The meaning of Climacteric

noun

A critical period or event.

Usage examples:

The first major climacteric in twentieth-century poetry

noun

The period of life when fertility and sexual activity are in decline; (in women) menopause.

Usage examples:

Most women do not experience significant psychological problems at the climacteric

noun

The ripening period of certain fruits such as apples, involving increased metabolism and only possible while still on the tree.

Usage examples:

Ripening accompanied by a sharp rise in respiration, the so-called climacteric

adjective

Having extreme and far-reaching implications or results; critical.

Usage examples:

Britain must possess so climacteric a weapon in order to deter an atomically armed enemy

adjective

Occurring at, characteristic of, or undergoing the climacteric; (in women) menopausal.

Usage examples:

Every year adds new symptoms to climacteric syndrome

adjective

(of a fruit) undergoing a climacteric.

Usage examples:

It doesn't ripen off the tree, being a climacteric fruit