a. (and sb.). [ad. late L. culminānt-em, pr. pple. of culmināre to CULMINATE. Cf. mod.F. culminant.]
A. adj. 1. Of a heavenly body: That has reached its greatest altitude, that is on the meridian; hence fig. that is at its greatest height.
1605. Camden, Rem. (1637), 358. The whole constellation of Ariadnes crowne, culminant in her nativity.
1658. Willsford, Nature’s Secrets (1665), 35. When any Star is upon the Meridian, it is said to be culminant; and … is then of most force to that place.
1684. Observator, No. 129. In the very Lust and Vigour of the Phanatical Conspiracy, when Oates was Culminant.
1824. Coleridge, in Lit. Rem. (1836), II. 411. The superstition of the letter was then culminant.
1875. Blackmore, A. Lorraine, I. vii. 41. A softer and more genial star was culminant one evening.
2. Reaching the greatest height, forming the summit or highest point, topmost.
1849. Dana, Geol., vii. (1850), 420. Islands are but the culminant peaks of mountains.
1854. Hooker, Himal. Jrnls., I. i. 22. The culminant rocks are very dry.
† B. sb. A culminant star (in quot. fig.). Obs.
1654. R. Whitlock, Ζωοτομια, 288. The … Culminant in a Princes favour, takes all the Honour from the Lord of his Ascending.
