[-ING2.] That culminates; that attains to the greatest elevation.

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1662.  Evelyn, Chalcogr., 106. The culminating, or declining sun.

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1665.  Sir T. Herbert, Trav. (1677), 202. The most culminating pyco or top [of Ararat].

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1727.  Pitt, Horace’s Odes, I. xxii. (R.). Where I may view without a shade The culminating sun.

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1853.  Kane, Grinnell Exp., xix. (1856), 142. The culminating peak of the northern abutment.

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  b.  fig.

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1654.  R. Whitlock, Ζωοτομια, 260. There is … no culminating Writer … so lofty as out of the reach of Imitation.

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1853.  Ruskin, Stones Ven., II. vi. § 31. 176. The Gothic schools exhibited that love [of variety] in culminating energy.

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