critical

英['krɪtɪk(ə)l] 美['krɪtɪkl]

1. marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws;

"a critical attitude"

2. at or of a point at which a property or phenomenon suffers an abrupt change especially having enough mass to sustain a chain reaction;

"a critical temperature of water is 100 degrees C--its boiling point at standard atmospheric pressure"

"critical mass"

"go critical"

3. characterized by careful evaluation and judgment;

"a critical reading"

"a critical dissertation"

"a critical analysis of Melville's writings"

4. urgently needed; absolutely necessary;

"a critical element of the plan"

"critical medical supplies"

"vital for a healthy society"

"of vital interest"

5. forming or having the nature of a turning point or crisis;

"a critical point in the campaign"

"the critical test"

6. being in or verging on a state of crisis or emergency;

"a critical shortage of food"

"a critical illness"

"an illness at the critical stage"

7. of or involving or characteristic of critics or criticism;

"critical acclaim"