culminate

Meanings

Verb

• Of a heavenly body, to be at the highest point, reach its greatest altitude.
• To reach the (physical) summit, highest point, peak etc.
• To reach a climax; to come to the decisive point (especially as an end or conclusion).
• To finalize, bring to a conclusion, form the climax of.

Adjective

• Relating to the culmen

Origin

• Recorded since 1647, from Medieval Latin culminatus, the past participle of culminare, from Latin culmen ("peak, the highest point"), older form columen, from a Proto-Indo-European base *kelH-, whence also hill and holm.