catastasis

(kə tas′tə sis)

the heightened part of the action in ancient drama, leading directly to the catastrophe

Origin: Gr katastasis, an arranging, setting forth < kathistanai < kata-, down + histanai, to set up, cause to stand

See catastasis in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. ca·tas·ta·ses (-sēzˌ)

The intensified part of the action directly preceding the catastrophe in classical tragedy.
The climax of a drama.

Origin:

Origin: Greek katastasis, settled state

Origin: , from kathistanai, to come into a certain state

Origin: : kat-, kata-, cata-

Origin: + histanai, to set; see stā- in Indo-European roots

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