marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws; a critical attitude'
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'
characterized by careful evaluation and judgment; a critical reading; a critical dissertation; a critical analysis of Melville's writings'
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'
of or involving or characteristic of critics or criticism; critical acclaim'
urgently needed; absolutely necessary; a critical element of the plan; critical medical supplies; vital for a healthy society; of vital interest
[ Syn: vital ]
forming or having the nature of a turning point or crisis; a critical point in the campaign; the critical test
[ Syn: decisive ]