critical

1a : inclined to criticize severely and unfavorably His critical temperament cost him several friends.

b : consisting of or involving criticism critical writings also : of or relating to the judgment of critics The play was a critical success.

c : exercising or involving careful judgment or judicious evaluation critical thinking a critical commentary on the mayor's proposal

d : including variant readings and scholarly emendations a critical edition

2a : of, relating to, or being a turning point or specially important juncture a critical phase : such as

(1) : relating to or being the stage of a disease at which an abrupt change for better or worse may be expected also : being or relating to an illness or condition involving danger of death critical care a patient listed in critical condition

(2) : relating to or being a state in which or a measurement or point at which some quality, property, or phenomenon suffers a definite change critical temperature

b : indispensable, vital a critical waterfowl habitat a component critical to the operation of a machine

c : being in or approaching a state of crisis a critical shortage a critical situation

d : crucial, decisive a critical test

3a : of sufficient size to sustain a chain reaction —used of a mass of fissionable material a critical mass

b : sustaining a nuclear chain reaction The reactor went critical.

Definition of critical

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