climacteric
noun
- a period in the life of a person when an important physiological change occurs; specif., the period of menopause
- any crucial period
adjective
of or resembling a climacteric; crucial
See climacteric in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(klī-măkˈtər-ĭk, klīˌmăk-tĕrˈĭk)
nouna. A period of life characterized by physiological and psychic change that marks the end of the reproductive capacity of women and terminates with the completion of menopause.
b. A corresponding period sometimes occurring in men that may be marked by a reduction in sexual activity, although fertility is retained.
- A critical period or year in a person's life when major changes in health or fortune are thought to take place.
- A critical stage, period, or year: “before the end of the millennium, whether [he] lives to see that ecclesiastical climacteric or not” (Conor Cruise O'Brien).
adjective- Of or relating to a climacteric.
- Critical; crucial.
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