Climacteric

Climacteric (Gk. climax, a ladder). Certain years of life were looked upon by the ancients as having a particular importance, forming steps or stages in a man's career at which he was especially liable to suffer from disease. The multiples of 7 were said by some to be the climacteric years, others preferred to attach importance to the multiples of 9. At all events, much importance was attached to the year 63=7x9, which was called the grand climacteric, and it was held to be matter for congratulation if an individual passed through this year of his age without mischance.