Climax

Cli"max (?), n. [L., from Gr. ? ladder, staircase, fr. ? to make to bend, to lean. See Ladder, Lean, v. i.] 1. Upward movement; steady increase; gradation; ascent. Glanvill.

2. (Rhet.) A figure in which the parts of a sentence or paragraph are so arranged that each succeeding one rises above its predecessor in impressiveness.

"Tribulation worketh patience, patience experience, and experience hope" -- a happy climax.
J. D. Forbes.

3. The highest point; the greatest degree.

We must look higher for the climax of earthly good.
I. Taylor.

To cap the climax, to surpass everything, as in excellence or in absurdity. [Colloq.]