ca·tas·ta·sis \kəˈtastəsə̇s\noun (pluralcatasta·ses \-əˌsēz\) Etymology: Greek katastasis settlement, establishment, from kathistanai to set in order, from kata- cata- + histanai to set, place — more at stand 1.: the dramatic complication immediately preceding the climax of a play 2.: the climax of a play — compare catastrophe, epitasis, protasis