anticlimax
an·ti·cli·max / ˌantēˈklīˌmaks; ˌantī-/ • n. a disappointing end to an exciting or impressive series of events.DERIVATIVES: an·ti·cli·mac·tic / -klīˈmaktik/ adj.an·ti·cli·mac·ti·cal·ly / -klīˈmaktik(ə)lē/ adv.
ANTICLIMAX
ANTICLIMAX.
1. In RHETORIC, a descent from the elevated and important to the low and trivial: ‘Here thou, Great Anna! whom three realms obey, / Dost sometimes counsel take—and sometimes Tea’ (Pope, The Rape of the Lock, 1712).
2. In drama, the lowered state after a CLIMAX; in life, an outcome that fails to live up to expectation. See BATHOS, FIGURE OF SPEECH.
1. In RHETORIC, a descent from the elevated and important to the low and trivial: ‘Here thou, Great Anna! whom three realms obey, / Dost sometimes counsel take—and sometimes Tea’ (Pope, The Rape of the Lock, 1712).
2. In drama, the lowered state after a CLIMAX; in life, an outcome that fails to live up to expectation. See BATHOS, FIGURE OF SPEECH.
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anticlimax