climactericus Latin · revision 4443

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=Pliny the Younger|origins=grc κλῖμαξ}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [kliː.makˈteː.rɪ.kʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [kli.makˈtɛː.ri.kus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''clīmactēricus''' (feminine clīmactērica, neuter clīmactēricum); first/second-declension adjective^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|grc|κλιμακτηρικός|tr=klimaktērikós|t=of a critical period]],^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(TLL) from [[m|grc|κλιμακτήρ|tr=klimaktḗr|t=rung of a ladder]], from [[m|grc|κλῖμαξ|tr=klîmax|t=ladder]].^(Köbler 2010)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Pliny the Younger, in a letter, tells someone that he is in a critical time but will survive.^(TLL)^(Georges 1913)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It belonged to the astrologers' ''climactēres'', the steps of life, every seventh year being thought dangerous.^(TLL)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Gellius and Censorinus speak of the ''annus climactēricus'', a critical year of life.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Georges 1913) Tertullian also mentions it.^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ [[en|climacteric]] is recorded in the 1620s for a critical stage of life.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 165 AD – Gellius speaks of the climacteric year.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 1620s – English ''climacteric'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # ''(astrology)'' Critical, [[m|en|climacteric]], of a dangerous stage of life.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[climax]]

+ * [[en|climacteric]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}