κλῖμαξ

κλῖμαξ, ᾰκος, ἡ, (κλίνω) A. ladder (because of its leaning aslant), SIG 1169.92 (Epid.); scaling-ladder, Th. 3.23, X. HG 7.2.7, etc.; κλίμακος προσαμβάσεις A. Th. 466,cf.E. Ph. 489; κλιμάκων ὀρθοστάτας προσβαλών Id. Supp. 497; προσθεῖναι Th. l.c.; boarding-ladder, gangway, E. IT 1351, 1382, Theoc. 22.30; κ. σκύτιναι, στύππιναι, Ph. Bel. 102.13, 16. 2. staircase, Od. 1.330, 10.558,al., IG 22.463.46; κ. ξύλιναι ib. 1668.84; κ. ἑλικτή winding stair, Callix. 1. II. frame with crossbars, on which persons to be tortured were tied, Ar. Ra. 618, Com.Adesp. 422. 2. ladder used in reducing dislocations, Hp. Art. 42; κ. ἰσχυροὺς ἔχουσα κλιμακτῆρας ib.78. III. wrestlerʼs trick, ἀμφίπλεκτοι κ. S. Tr. 521 (lyr.), cf. Hsch. s.v. ἐκ κλίμακος. IV. in Rhet., climax, Demetr. Eloc. 270, Quint. 9.3.54, Longin. 23.1 (pl.). V. part of a chariot, narrowing like steps, Poll. 1.253. VI. in pl., handrails on either side of a bridge, Arr. An. 5.7.5.