1. Denoting or of the nature of a crisis. 2. Denoting a morbid condition in which death is possible. 3. In sufficient quantity as to constitute a turning point.
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crit·i·cal 'krit-i-kəl adj
1 a) relating to, indicating, or being the stage of a disease at which an abrupt change for better or worse may be anticipated with reasonable certainty <the \critical phase of a fever>
b) being or relating to an illness or condition involving danger of death <\critical care> <a \critical head injury>
2 a) of sufficient size to sustain a chain reaction used of a mass of fissionable material
b) sustaining a chain reaction used of a nuclear reactor
crit·i·cal·ly -k(ə-)lē adv
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crit·i·cal (kritґĭ-kəl) 1. pertaining to or of the nature of a crisis. 2. pertaining to a disease or other morbid condition in which there is danger of death. 3. in sufficient quantity as to constitute a turning point, as a critical mass or critical concentration.Medical dictionary. 2011.