1. (

• critical ,

) marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors and flaws; "a critical attitude" ;

2. (

• critical ,

) 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;

3. (

• critical ,

) characterized by careful evaluation and judgment; "a critical reading"; "a critical dissertation"; "a critical analysis of Melville's writings" ;

4. (

• critical ,
• vital

) urgently needed; absolutely necessary; "a critical element of the plan"; "critical medical supplies"; "vital for a healthy society"; "of vital interest" ;

5. (

• critical ,
• decisive

) forming or having the nature of a turning point or crisis; "a critical point in the campaign"; "the critical test" ;

6. (

• critical ,

) 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. (

• critical

) of or involving or characteristic of critics or criticism; "critical acclaim" ;