catastasis

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. The intensified part of the action directly preceding the catastrophe in classical tragedy.
2. n. The climax of a drama.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. In rhetoric, that part of the exordium in which the speaker seeks to dispose his hearers to a view of the case favorable to his own side, especially by removing from their minds what might prejudice them against it.
2. n. That part of the Greek drama in which the action, initiated in the epitasis, is sustained, continued, and prepared for the catastrophe.
3. n. In medicine, constitution, state, or condition.

Wiktionary

1. n. In classical drama, the third and penultimate section, in which action is heightened for the catastrophe.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. (Rhet.) That part of a speech, usually the exordium, in which the orator sets forth the subject matter to be discussed.
2. n. (Med.) The state, or condition of anything; constitution; habit of body.