Catacosmesis

Origin

From the Latin form of the Ancient Greek κατακόσμησις ("arrangement").

Full definition of catacosmesis

Noun

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

Synonyms

• (descending series) anticlimax
• (temporal series) chronological order, arrangement, &c.
• (ascending series) climax

Antonyms

• (descending series) climax