Culminate \Cul"mi*nate\ (k[u^]l"m[i^]*n[asl]t), a.
   Growing upward, as distinguished from a lateral growth; --
   applied to the growth of corals. --Dana.
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	Culminate \Cul"mi*nate\ (k[u^]l"m[i^]*n[=a]t), v. i. [imp. & p.
   p. Culminated (-n[=a]`t[e^]d); p. pr. & vb. n.
   Culminating (-n[=a]`t[i^]ng.] [L. cuimen top or ridge. See
   Column.]
   1. To reach its highest point of altitude; to come to the
      meridian; to be vertical or directly overhead.
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            As when his beams at noon
            Culminate from the equator.           --Milton.
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   2. To reach the highest point, as of rank, size, power,
      numbers, etc.
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            The reptile race culminated in the secondary era.
                                                  --Dana.
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            The house of Burgundy was rapidly culminating.
                                                  --Motley.
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	culminate
     v 1: end, especially to reach a final or climactic stage; "The
          meeting culminated in a tearful embrace" [syn: climax]
     2: bring to a head or to the highest point; "Seurat culminated
        pointillism"
     3: reach the highest or most decisive point
     4: of a celestial body: reach its highest altitude or the
        meridian
     5: rise to, or form, a summit; "The helmet culminated in a
        crest"

	

	44 Moby Thesaurus words for "culminate":
   button up, cap, carry to completion, clean up, climax, close out,
   close up, complete, conclude, consummate, crest, crown, develop,
   do to perfection, end, finalize, finish, finish off, finish up,
   frost, get done, get it over, get through, get through with, head,
   ice, improve, mature, mop up, outtop, overarch, overtop, peak,
   perfect, ripen, round out, surmount, terminate, tip, top, top off,
   top out, wind up, wrap up