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adj. 1. Judging severely and finding fault: a writer who is very critical of the government's foreign policy. 2. a. Relating to or characterized by criticism; reflecting careful analysis and judgment: a critical appreciation of the filmmaker's work. b. Of, relating to, or characteristic of critics: a play that received great critical acclaim. c. Including scholarly commentary and interpretation: a critical edition of Poe's stories. 3. a. Forming or having the nature of a turning point; crucial or decisive: a critical point in the campaign. See Synonyms at decisive. b. Medicine Being or relating to a grave physical condition, especially of a patient. c. Being in or verging on a state of crisis or emergency: a critical shortage of food. 4. Extremely important or essential: a critical element of the plan; a second income that is critical to the family's well-being. See Synonyms at indispensable. 5. Mathematics Of or relating to a point at which a curve has a horizontal tangent line, as at a maximum or minimum. 6. Chemistry & Physics Of or relating to the value of a measurement, such as temperature, at which an abrupt change in a quality, property, or state occurs: A critical temperature of water is 100°C, its boiling point at standard atmospheric pressure. 7. Physics Capable of sustaining a nuclear chain reaction: The reactor has gone critical. criti·cal·ly adv. criti·cal·ness n. |
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