Definition of "fastigium"

fastigium

/fæsˈtɪd͡ʒ.i.əm/

noun
plural fastigia
1. An apex or summit; culmination.
2. (architecture) A pediment or gable end.
3. (pathology) The most intense phase of a disease, especially a fever.
  Quotations
  [W]e find that the duration and succession of the febrile phenomena constitute five principal groups. […] 2. Fevers which are essentially continuous in their course (continued fevers), which exhibit but slight daily differences of temperature during their fastigium or acme, and defervesce rapidly (by crisis).
  1871, C[arl Reinhold] A[ugust] Wunderlich, “Fundamental Principles”, in W. Bathurst Woodman, transl., On the Temperature in Diseases: A Manual of Medical Thermometry. [...] Translated from the Second German Edition (New Sydenham Society Publications; XLIX), London: The New Sydenham Society, § 32, page 14