catacosmesis

English

Etymology

From the Latin form of the Ancient Greek κατακόσμησις (katakósmēsis, “arrangement”).

Noun

catacosmesis (uncountable)

1. (rhetoric) A rhetorical device in which a series is arranged in "proper order", particularly
   1. (rhetoric) A descending order from best, greatest, etc. to worst, lowest, etc.
   2. (rhetoric) A chronological order from first to last.
   3. (rhetoric, obsolete, imprecise) An ascending order from worst, lowest, etc. to best, greatest, etc; a climax.

Synonyms

• (descending series): anticlimax
• (temporal series): chronological order, arrangement, etc.
• (ascending series): climax

Antonyms

• (antonym(s) of “descending series”): climax