n. [ L. culmus stalk, stem; akin to calamus. SeeHalm. ] (Bot.) The stalk or stem of grain and grasses (including the bamboo), jointed and usually hollow. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Perh. from W. cwlm knot or tie, applied to this species of coal, which is much found in balls or knots in some parts of Wales: cf. OE. culme smoke, soot. ] (Min.) (a) Mineral coal that is not bituminous; anthracite, especially when found in small masses. (b) The waste of the Pennsylvania anthracite mines, consisting of fine coal, dust, etc., and used as fuel. Raymond. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ L., fr. cellere (in comp.) to impel; cf. celsus pushed upward, lofty. ] 1. Top; summit; acme. R. North. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) The dorsal ridge of a bird's bill. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. culmus stalk or stem + -ferous: cf. F. culmifère. ] Having jointed stems or culms. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ 2d culm + -ferous. ] (Min.) Containing, or abounding in, culm or glance coal. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to a culmen. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Being vertical, or at the highest point of altitude; hence, predominant. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Culminated p. pr. & vb. n. Culminating (-nā`t&ibreve_;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. [ 1913 Webster ]

As when his beams at noon
Culminate from the equator. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To reach the highest point, as of rank, size, power, numbers, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

The reptile race culminated in the secondary era. Dana. [ 1913 Webster ]

The house of Burgundy was rapidly culminating. Motley. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Growing upward, as distinguished from a lateral growth; -- applied to the growth of corals. Dana. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F.culmination ] 1. The attainment of the highest point of altitude reached by a heavenly body; passage across the meridian; transit. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Attainment or arrival at the highest pitch of glory, power, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Culminating, or coming to the meredian, at or about the same time with the moon; -- said of a star or stars, esp. of certain stars selected beforehand, and named in an ephemeris (as the Nautical Almanac), as suitable to be observed in connection with the moon at culmination, for determining terrestrial longitude. [ 1913 Webster ]