Sticking-Place Meaning

(idiomatic, dated) The point at which a process or thing, especially a state of mind or emotion, reaches its greatest strength and remains steadfast; sticking point.

Example: 1611, William Shakespeare, Macbeth, act 1, sc. 7:
  But screw your courage to the sticking-place,
  And we'll not fail.
1837, Thomas Carlyle, The French Revolution, Book 3.I. September:
  Old men, who heard it, will still tell you how the reverberating voice made all hearts swell, in that moment; and braced them to the sticking-place.