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culminate (v.)
1640s, in astronomy, of a star or planet, "come to or be on the highest point of altitude; come to or be on the meridian," from Late Latin culminatus past participle of culminare "to top, to crown," from Latin culmen (genitive culminis) "top, peak, summit, roof, gable," also used figuratively, a contraction of columen "top, summit" (from PIE root *kel- (2) "to be prominent; hill"). Figurative sense in English of "reach the highest point" is from 1660s. Related: Culminant; culminated; culminating.
updated on June 01, 2018
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Definitions of culminate from WordNet
Dictionary entries near culminate
cul-de-sac
-cule
culinary
cull
Cullen
culminate
culmination
culottes
culpability
culpable
culprit