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| cul·mi·nate [ kúlmə nàyt ] (past and past participle cul·mi·nat·ed, present participle cul·mi·nat·ing, 3rd person present singular cul·mi·nates) |
verb |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive and intransitive verb come or bring to highest point: to reach a climax or point of highest development, or make something do this
 a general feeling of dissatisfaction that culminated in his resignation
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2. transitive and intransitive verb finish spectacularly: to come or bring something to an end, especially a climactic one
 The festivities culminated in a procession through the town.
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3. intransitive verb have something at highest end: to have something at the apex
 The tower culminates in a point.
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4. intransitive verb astronomy reach highest or lowest point: to reach the highest or, less commonly, the lowest point in the sky relative to an observer's horizon
(
refers to astronomical objects
)
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| [Mid-17th century. < late Latin culminat-, past participle of culminare "exalt" < culmen "summit"] |