Definition of critical in English:

critical

adjective ˈkrɪtɪk(ə)lˈkrɪdək(ə)l

1Expressing adverse or disapproving comments or judgements.
持相反（或反对）意见的
I was very critical of the previous regime
我对前政权很有意见。
Example sentencesExamples
- The report is highly critical of the quality of teaching standards
- Parts of the report are heavily critical of the district's police who, it says, have conflicting styles.
- Children with low self-esteem tend to be overly critical of and easily disappointed in themselves.
- The report was critical of many things in the town including the fire station.
- The report was critical of police because there was no formal procedure to chase up those who failed to answer to bail.
- Of course, to be honest, since when has a one of these reports been really critical of the government that set it up?
- The report is also critical of road safety education because of its lack of prominence, vagueness and poor training for teachers.
- The report is highly critical of succeeding governments because to date nothing has happened.
- The report was critical of his involvement in the deal.
- We think also it's probably the most critical of all the reports done so far.
- Mr Lloyd also revealed that an internal report had been critical of the force's vetting system.
- The Ofsted report was highly critical of the school, and said its weaknesses far exceeded its strengths.
- The environment committee has just published a report that's quite critical of the executive.
- Inman is highly critical of industry sponsored safety studies, which he regards as marketing exercises.
- The report was critical of the British government, essentially describing current initiatives to tackle obesity as much talk but little action.
- While the report is critical of the intelligence services, it clears the British Prime Minister of misleading the public over the case for war.
- He has also been critical of overcrowding in Scotland's jails.
- The report is critical of the inhumane treatment of children in arbitrary detention and calls into question our commitment to human rights.
- Last year the National Tidy Towns Report was very critical of litter in our town and surrounding areas, and so far this year the same problem has arisen.
- The consultants report was very critical of the company and the Trust for employing too many overpaid people with very substantial perks.
Synonyms
censorious, condemnatory, condemning, castigatory, reproving, denunciatory, deprecatory, disparaging, disapproving, scathing, criticizing, fault-finding, judgemental, negative, unfavourable, unsympathetic
hypercritical, ultra-critical, overcritical, pedantic, pettifogging, cavilling, carping, quibbling, niggling
Scottish &amp Irish pass-remarkable
informal nitpicking, hair-splitting, pernickety, picky, griping, bitching, bellyaching, whingeing
rare reprobatory, reprobative
2Expressing or involving an analysis of the merits and faults of a work of literature, music, or art.
（对文艺作品）批评的；评论（性）的
she never won the critical acclaim she sought
她从未得到过她试图得到的评论界的赞扬。
Example sentencesExamples
- The band is stirring both critical and popular acclaim for their soulful, virtuoso playing and thrilling live performances.
- Set up a year ago by Martin Wheeler, 33, Iwari and its artists have sparked critical acclaim in the music press.
- It was released in July 2001 to critical acclaim.
- How does he feel about the critical acclaim from a usually unimpressed music scene?
- The 20-year-old left with top grades in philosophy, English literature and sociology as well as a merit in critical thinking.
- An unlikely Australian export is receiving critical acclaim in Britain.
- He has also performed Handel's ‘Messiah’ to huge critical acclaim in the past.
- The next thing I knew, I was on the receiving end of some serious critical acclaim.
- His intense, swaggering stage presence and masterful violin playing has won him both fans and critical acclaim all over the world.
- His recent CD recording of Liszt's piano music received critical acclaim.
- It received critical acclaim and the British music press were touting the song's writer, Annie, as a future world-conquering popstar.
- Lee, 35, has been in the play for 18 months, including a stint in London's West End, where he received critical acclaim.
- The novel brought her major critical acclaim and received the Prix Medici literary award in 1964.
- Drawing comparisons between film-makers and designers has its merits on critical and theoretical levels.
- Not all the projects have garnered critical acclaim, but few involved in New York's music scene fail to acknowledge Moss' gutsiness.
- Her second album secured her place in the hearts of real music fans and won her wide critical acclaim.
- For the first time since the late 1960s British rock music was experiencing critical and financial acclaim.
- Already their work has come in for considerable critical acclaim from those that have seen it and it is expected to be in huge demand by poetry and art lovers.
- BBC Music achieved significant sales growth and critical acclaim this year.
- It makes you feel good to watch, regardless of what critical merits it possesses.
Synonyms
evaluative, analytic, analytical, interpretative, expository, commentative, explanatory, explicative, elucidative
1. 2.1 (of a text) incorporating a detailed and scholarly analysis and commentary.
  （已出版的文学或音乐文本）附有详细深刻分析与评论的
  a critical edition of a Bach sonata
  附有权威评论的巴赫奏鸣曲版本。
  Example sentencesExamples
  They would not know that there is presently a vast body of critical literature.
  Translations of major texts are borrowed from current scholarly editions, while English texts are based on critical editions.
  A critical edition of the same in English is also being done simultaneously.
  Moreover, to be truly seen and understood is close to the pinnacle for a work of art, and no critical essay can see and understand as deeply as the best parodies.
  He published 17 volumes of poetry, numerous translations, and two volumes of critical essays.
  These texts are joined by a critical essay and an extensive bibliography of each poet's work.
  Carver read drafts and wrote over 300 pages of critical notes for Robertson.
  This is a new translation of the German critical edition of Bonhoeffer's text.
  The comprehensive citation of critical articles and journals will be extremely useful to scholars.
  The critical literature provides three different schools of thought on this subject.
  Many of the critical essays skillfully blend pertinent close readings with wider cultural background.
  Since Q2 represents the text closest to the author's manuscript it might be chosen as the copy text for a critical edition.
  Those who were denied the right to vote in free and fair elections, to own mobile phones and to buy critical literature are now free to do so.
  Let us hypothesize, therefore, that Barthes set out to write critical texts as if they were the theses he never wrote.
  Yesterday they were presented to the public, together with plans for a definitive critical edition of Benjamin's works.
  Entire pages of these two critical texts are presented in her book, bilingual explanations on the left-hand side, graphic images on the right.
  There are virtually no references to the vast critical literature on Dostoevsky.
  I'd rather just read the critical text than read the same thing watered down and simplified in fiction.
  This book is a hybrid negotiating the ground between critical text and coffee table ornament.
  Every museum publication has critical essays and an interview with the artist.
2. 2.2 Involving the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgement.
  professors often find it difficult to encourage critical thinking amongst their students
  Example sentencesExamples
  True, they produce many religious pamphlets, but relatively few books that contribute to critical knowledge.
  Peer learning tasks that require critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making can be challenging for both the teacher and students.
  U.S. Latino Literatures and Cultures: Transnational Perspectives is an important point of reference in assessing developments in this rapidly evolving field of critical enquiry.
  Women Studies from the beginning was projected as a critical inquiry that would seek to expose the structures that upheld the subordination of women.
  The critical evaluations of a favourite work by four Irish art critics are both informative and entertaining.
  Gavin sits on a Masters Degree Visual Arts Practises course with me where we have seen critical judgment voided by curatorial organisational skills.
  Interpret the results: Whereas statistical analysis is mostly computer-based, interpretation of the results requires critical thinking.
  Freire's own model of critical pedagogy invites a critical interrogation of this flaw in the work.
  The investigations, however, were not only celebratory; various critical examinations of the institution of cinema also emerged.
  Key to the audit committee's effectiveness and accountability is a critical self assessment for the audit committee as well as each individual member.
  To those who have an education grounded in critical thinking and science we can see through it very clearly.
  The book is divided into two parts: a 35-page critical essay followed by drawings grouped according to theme.
  The caricatures are critical analyses of a writer's childhood, life style, ideology and views.
  Three major areas in which the Intelligence field must retrofit are in force structure, training and critical thinking skills.
  The book is written to engage the tribe of fellow economists who often pride themselves as critical thinkers.
  But it's the number raptors killed - the eight owls and 10 hawks - that drew Ho's critical eye.
  In these and similar cases, Loury's critical insight is that mistakes in perception lead to mistakes in judgment that reinforce the initial social stigma.
  Hilliard describes educators who respect prior knowledge and engage in critical analysis, who treat their children as scholars.
  The classic critical essay in this third region of investigation is Paul de Man's " The Rhetoric of Temporality ".
  Like the other work in this issue, Leong's vision arrests and disturbs, creating unsettling moments that insistently summon critical imagination.
3(of a situation or problem) having the potential to become disastrous; at a point of crisis.
（情况或问题）有可能成为灾难的；危急的
the floodwaters had not receded and the situation was still critical
洪水尚未退去，情况仍很危急。
Example sentencesExamples
- The city on the hill has a very critical problem with water.
- In Scotland the situation is particularly critical.
- There's also traction control to help you keep in command during critical situations such as ice or gravel on the roads.
- The report reveals that shortage of specialist staff in key areas still remains a critical problem.
- And remember, we were talking of a very critical situation.
- The security guards expressed similar fears but were more confident because they are trained to handle such critical situations.
- We have a potentially critical situation here.
- I'm afraid that if anything, the situation is more critical and needs attention globally.
- It puts us in a difficult and critical situation.
- The situation is critical, and the government should act NOW!
- It will also prove that the Indonesian government is intelligent and creative enough to resolve its most critical problems.
- This is a creative and innovative way of solving a very critical problem for America.
- None of these problems is critical, but they all act to inhibit the process of renewing Australia's economic infrastructure.
- It was a critical situation that confronted our firemen.
- We usually get an urgent notice in case the situation is too critical.
- He replied that his company didn't think it was facing a critical situation at that point.
- That was a critical problem that we've had in the past.
- Saxe-Coburg postponed his Wednesday visit to Brussels because of the critical situation after the terrorist acts.
- They felt that they had to do something in this critical situation.
- The situation is critical and the EU countries must resolve this problem before the December 17 Meeting.
Synonyms
grave, serious, dangerous, risky, perilous, hazardous, precarious, touch-and-go, in the balance, uncertain, desperate, dire, acute, very bad
life-and-death, life-threatening
informal chancy, dicey, hairy, iffy
British informal dodgy
archaic or humorous parlous
Medicine peracute, profound
rare egregious
1. 3.1 Extremely ill and at risk of death.
  （人）病情严重的；病危的
  she was critical but stable in Middlesbrough General Hospital
  她住在米德尔斯布勒总医院里，病情危重但还稳定。
  Example sentencesExamples
  Kathy was dead from head wounds, and her son and husband were taken to the hospital in critical condition.
  He remained in critical condition on a life-support machine, but lost his fight for life yesterday afternoon.
  Eight Israeli soldiers were wounded, one of whom is in critical condition.
  He had been in critical condition since he was assaulted on Sunday.
  He was taken to hospital and was in critical condition.
  Two of the five taken to the hospital are in critical condition.
  More than a dozen were in critical condition with head and chest wounds and severe burns.
  One soldier was in critical condition and the other two were in stable condition.
  One of them was in critical condition following surgery for multiple internal injuries and severe burns.
  One of them is in critical condition, the other in serious condition.
  The second younger couple was so seriously injured that they were airlifted to Hamilton General Hospital in critical condition.
  One person is said to be in critical condition, four others in serious condition.
  One of the 17 injured was said to be in critical condition.
  It said nine of those injured were in critical condition, suggesting that the death toll might rise.
  Although Gainer was in critical condition on Sunday, he was in stable condition on Monday at Foothills Hospital.
  The 82-year-old female driver of the vehicle remains in critical condition at Lions Gate Hospital.
  Many were taken to Rhode Island Hospital and 38 remained there yesterday, 14 of them in critical condition.
  One recruit is dead from a rash and another person is in critical condition with a serious form of Strep.
  As of Wednesday afternoon at least two workers remained in critical condition from severe burns and six others were listed in serious condition.
  Following the accident, he was rushed to hospital in critical condition with a severe head injury and underwent brain surgery the very next day.
2. 3.2 Having a decisive or crucial importance in the success, failure, or existence of something.
  关键性的；决定性的
  temperature is a critical factor in successful fruit storage
  温度是成功储藏水果的一个决定性因素。
  getting banks lending again was critical to any recovery
  in combination time-critical tasks
  Example sentencesExamples
  The sauna culture is critical and crucial to understanding Finland's commercial successes.
  The critical factor in the failure of endowment mortgages has been poor investment returns.
  This is crucial to our credibility and critical to our success.
  The board is going to have to make a critical decision about the successor.
  This completely fails to recognise the critical importance that success in business has in funding our aspirations for the public services.
  Simply stated, this is an issue of critical importance to the future success of the New Zealand economy.
  In today's fast-paced dairy industry, speed to market is a critical success factor.
  But do they represent a critical factor in the success or failure of a business?
  Reducing elapsed time can in fact make the critical difference between success and failure.
  This research considers the factors critical for success as perceived by different parties.
  For that reason, we are starting with safety to emphasize its importance as critical to a successful project.
  This gives them the right to take decisions of critical importance, having gained two thirds of the stake in the holding.
  You will need to follow the many family businesses for whom embracing non-family executives into the extended family of the firm is a critical success factor.
  One of the most critical factors in the success of any retreat is its ability to fully engage all attendees.
  A critical success factor that the research team found related to strong product knowledge.
  The distinguishing feature of their initial period will be its crucial and critical, decisive character.
  Human and animal transport is often critical to the success or failure of a military campaign.
  We know that early detection is of critical importance.
  This builds commitment among staff, a critical factor for business success.
  Each focuses on different critical factors in its success at the individual, group, and community levels.
  Synonyms
  crucial, vital, essential, of the essence, all-important, important, of the utmost importance, of great consequence, high-priority, paramount, pre-eminent, fundamental, key, pivotal, deciding, decisive, climacteric, momentous
  serious, urgent, pressing, compelling, exigent
4Mathematics Physics
Relating to or denoting a point of transition from one state to another.
〔数，物理〕临界的
if the density is less than a certain critical value the gravitational attraction will be too weak to halt the expansion
Example sentencesExamples
- When the fraction is close to the critical value, computation times become very large.
- As the concentration of cholesterol in the bilayer exceeds a critical value, phase separation occurs.
- Similarly, superconductivity can be destroyed by applying a magnetic field that exceeds some critical value.
- The bear market of 2002, however, has changed the critical threshold values for this indicator.
- On the other hand, if the frequency exceeded a certain critical value, there would be enough energy for the electron to be able to get away.
5(of a nuclear reactor or fuel) maintaining a self-sustaining chain reaction.
（核反应堆或燃料）临界的
the reactor is due to go critical in October
该核反应堆预计到十月份开始临界。

Derivatives

criticality

noun ˌkrɪtɪˈkalɪtiˌkrɪdəˈkælədi

mass noun

1Crucial importance.
all the agencies understand the criticality of their IT systems to their operations
Example sentencesExamples
- science underscores the criticality of a child's earliest years to better health in adulthood
- The authors have developed a matrix on which a company can plot its functions on the X-axis according to their criticality and its capabilities on the Y-axis.
- On their part, the employees understood the criticality of the situation.
- To make an analogy; in any situation, if criticality in stability is seen, the unstable mass must be contained and/or isolated, in order to minimise any possible ensuing collateral damage.
- reactor 4 at the Oi nuclear power plant reached criticality on Thursday morning
2(of a nuclear reactor or fuel) the quality or state of maintaining a self-sustaining chain reaction.
（核反应堆或燃料）临界的

criticalness

noun

The issue of distortion or bias in social cognition is difficult to address with the present data, as the ratings of attentiveness, criticalness, and admiration are inherently subjective.
Example sentencesExamples
- You should not let your father's or mother's negativity, depression and criticalness be contagious.
- This anchoring reinforced that the criticalness was about Susan, not her.
- I understand the criticalness of candidate selection and promotion of our future leaders.
- Who makes a family decision depends on the criticalness of the issue.

Origin

Mid 16th century (in the sense 'relating to the crisis of a disease'): from late Latin criticus (see critic).

Rhymes

analytical, apolitical, cryptanalytical, diacritical, eremitical, geopolitical, hypercritical, hypocritical, political, socio-political, subcritical

Definition of critical in US English:

critical

adjectiveˈkrɪdək(ə)lˈkridək(ə)l

1Expressing adverse or disapproving comments or judgments.
持相反（或反对）意见的
he was critical of many U.S. welfare programs
Example sentencesExamples
- Inman is highly critical of industry sponsored safety studies, which he regards as marketing exercises.
- The consultants report was very critical of the company and the Trust for employing too many overpaid people with very substantial perks.
- The report is highly critical of the quality of teaching standards
- The report is also critical of road safety education because of its lack of prominence, vagueness and poor training for teachers.
- Of course, to be honest, since when has a one of these reports been really critical of the government that set it up?
- The report was critical of the British government, essentially describing current initiatives to tackle obesity as much talk but little action.
- Last year the National Tidy Towns Report was very critical of litter in our town and surrounding areas, and so far this year the same problem has arisen.
- Parts of the report are heavily critical of the district's police who, it says, have conflicting styles.
- Mr Lloyd also revealed that an internal report had been critical of the force's vetting system.
- He has also been critical of overcrowding in Scotland's jails.
- The report is critical of the inhumane treatment of children in arbitrary detention and calls into question our commitment to human rights.
- The report was critical of his involvement in the deal.
- The report is highly critical of succeeding governments because to date nothing has happened.
- The report was critical of police because there was no formal procedure to chase up those who failed to answer to bail.
- Children with low self-esteem tend to be overly critical of and easily disappointed in themselves.
- We think also it's probably the most critical of all the reports done so far.
- The environment committee has just published a report that's quite critical of the executive.
- The Ofsted report was highly critical of the school, and said its weaknesses far exceeded its strengths.
- The report was critical of many things in the town including the fire station.
- While the report is critical of the intelligence services, it clears the British Prime Minister of misleading the public over the case for war.
Synonyms
censorious, condemnatory, condemning, castigatory, reproving, denunciatory, deprecatory, disparaging, disapproving, scathing, criticizing, fault-finding, judgemental, negative, unfavourable, unsympathetic
2Expressing or involving an analysis of the merits and faults of a work of literature, music, or art.
（对文艺作品）批评的；评论（性）的
she never won the critical acclaim she sought
她从未得到过她试图得到的评论界的赞扬。
Example sentencesExamples
- BBC Music achieved significant sales growth and critical acclaim this year.
- The band is stirring both critical and popular acclaim for their soulful, virtuoso playing and thrilling live performances.
- How does he feel about the critical acclaim from a usually unimpressed music scene?
- His intense, swaggering stage presence and masterful violin playing has won him both fans and critical acclaim all over the world.
- Set up a year ago by Martin Wheeler, 33, Iwari and its artists have sparked critical acclaim in the music press.
- He has also performed Handel's ‘Messiah’ to huge critical acclaim in the past.
- Already their work has come in for considerable critical acclaim from those that have seen it and it is expected to be in huge demand by poetry and art lovers.
- It was released in July 2001 to critical acclaim.
- The next thing I knew, I was on the receiving end of some serious critical acclaim.
- Her second album secured her place in the hearts of real music fans and won her wide critical acclaim.
- Not all the projects have garnered critical acclaim, but few involved in New York's music scene fail to acknowledge Moss' gutsiness.
- For the first time since the late 1960s British rock music was experiencing critical and financial acclaim.
- His recent CD recording of Liszt's piano music received critical acclaim.
- The novel brought her major critical acclaim and received the Prix Medici literary award in 1964.
- It received critical acclaim and the British music press were touting the song's writer, Annie, as a future world-conquering popstar.
- The 20-year-old left with top grades in philosophy, English literature and sociology as well as a merit in critical thinking.
- Drawing comparisons between film-makers and designers has its merits on critical and theoretical levels.
- Lee, 35, has been in the play for 18 months, including a stint in London's West End, where he received critical acclaim.
- It makes you feel good to watch, regardless of what critical merits it possesses.
- An unlikely Australian export is receiving critical acclaim in Britain.
Synonyms
evaluative, analytic, analytical, interpretative, expository, commentative, explanatory, explicative, elucidative
1. 2.1 (of a published literary or musical text) incorporating a detailed and scholarly analysis and commentary.
  （已出版的文学或音乐文本）附有详细深刻分析与评论的
  a critical edition of a Bach sonata
  附有权威评论的巴赫奏鸣曲版本。
  Example sentencesExamples
  Since Q2 represents the text closest to the author's manuscript it might be chosen as the copy text for a critical edition.
  Entire pages of these two critical texts are presented in her book, bilingual explanations on the left-hand side, graphic images on the right.
  Translations of major texts are borrowed from current scholarly editions, while English texts are based on critical editions.
  A critical edition of the same in English is also being done simultaneously.
  He published 17 volumes of poetry, numerous translations, and two volumes of critical essays.
  They would not know that there is presently a vast body of critical literature.
  Moreover, to be truly seen and understood is close to the pinnacle for a work of art, and no critical essay can see and understand as deeply as the best parodies.
  Yesterday they were presented to the public, together with plans for a definitive critical edition of Benjamin's works.
  There are virtually no references to the vast critical literature on Dostoevsky.
  Carver read drafts and wrote over 300 pages of critical notes for Robertson.
  The comprehensive citation of critical articles and journals will be extremely useful to scholars.
  These texts are joined by a critical essay and an extensive bibliography of each poet's work.
  Many of the critical essays skillfully blend pertinent close readings with wider cultural background.
  The critical literature provides three different schools of thought on this subject.
  This book is a hybrid negotiating the ground between critical text and coffee table ornament.
  Those who were denied the right to vote in free and fair elections, to own mobile phones and to buy critical literature are now free to do so.
  Every museum publication has critical essays and an interview with the artist.
  This is a new translation of the German critical edition of Bonhoeffer's text.
  Let us hypothesize, therefore, that Barthes set out to write critical texts as if they were the theses he never wrote.
  I'd rather just read the critical text than read the same thing watered down and simplified in fiction.
2. 2.2 Involving the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgement.
  professors often find it difficult to encourage critical thinking in their students
3(of a situation or problem) having the potential to become disastrous; at a point of crisis.
（情况或问题）有可能成为灾难的；危急的
the flood waters had not receded, and the situation was still critical
洪水尚未退去，情况仍很危急。
Example sentencesExamples
- We have a potentially critical situation here.
- In Scotland the situation is particularly critical.
- It puts us in a difficult and critical situation.
- The security guards expressed similar fears but were more confident because they are trained to handle such critical situations.
- There's also traction control to help you keep in command during critical situations such as ice or gravel on the roads.
- The situation is critical, and the government should act NOW!
- The city on the hill has a very critical problem with water.
- That was a critical problem that we've had in the past.
- This is a creative and innovative way of solving a very critical problem for America.
- Saxe-Coburg postponed his Wednesday visit to Brussels because of the critical situation after the terrorist acts.
- It was a critical situation that confronted our firemen.
- The situation is critical and the EU countries must resolve this problem before the December 17 Meeting.
- And remember, we were talking of a very critical situation.
- I'm afraid that if anything, the situation is more critical and needs attention globally.
- They felt that they had to do something in this critical situation.
- He replied that his company didn't think it was facing a critical situation at that point.
- None of these problems is critical, but they all act to inhibit the process of renewing Australia's economic infrastructure.
- We usually get an urgent notice in case the situation is too critical.
- It will also prove that the Indonesian government is intelligent and creative enough to resolve its most critical problems.
- The report reveals that shortage of specialist staff in key areas still remains a critical problem.
Synonyms
grave, serious, dangerous, risky, perilous, hazardous, precarious, touch-and-go, in the balance, uncertain, desperate, dire, acute, very bad
1. 3.1 (of a person) extremely ill and at risk of death.
  （人）病情严重的；病危的
  he had been in critical condition since undergoing surgery
  Example sentencesExamples
  As of Wednesday afternoon at least two workers remained in critical condition from severe burns and six others were listed in serious condition.
  One of the 17 injured was said to be in critical condition.
  Eight Israeli soldiers were wounded, one of whom is in critical condition.
  The 82-year-old female driver of the vehicle remains in critical condition at Lions Gate Hospital.
  One person is said to be in critical condition, four others in serious condition.
  More than a dozen were in critical condition with head and chest wounds and severe burns.
  One of them is in critical condition, the other in serious condition.
  The second younger couple was so seriously injured that they were airlifted to Hamilton General Hospital in critical condition.
  Two of the five taken to the hospital are in critical condition.
  Many were taken to Rhode Island Hospital and 38 remained there yesterday, 14 of them in critical condition.
  It said nine of those injured were in critical condition, suggesting that the death toll might rise.
  He had been in critical condition since he was assaulted on Sunday.
  One of them was in critical condition following surgery for multiple internal injuries and severe burns.
  Following the accident, he was rushed to hospital in critical condition with a severe head injury and underwent brain surgery the very next day.
  One soldier was in critical condition and the other two were in stable condition.
  One recruit is dead from a rash and another person is in critical condition with a serious form of Strep.
  He remained in critical condition on a life-support machine, but lost his fight for life yesterday afternoon.
  Although Gainer was in critical condition on Sunday, he was in stable condition on Monday at Foothills Hospital.
  Kathy was dead from head wounds, and her son and husband were taken to the hospital in critical condition.
  He was taken to hospital and was in critical condition.
2. 3.2 Having a decisive or crucial importance in the success, failure, or existence of something.
  关键性的；决定性的
  temperature is a critical factor in successful fruit storage
  温度是成功储藏水果的一个决定性因素。
  getting banks lending again was critical to any recovery
  Example sentencesExamples
  Simply stated, this is an issue of critical importance to the future success of the New Zealand economy.
  A critical success factor that the research team found related to strong product knowledge.
  Each focuses on different critical factors in its success at the individual, group, and community levels.
  This gives them the right to take decisions of critical importance, having gained two thirds of the stake in the holding.
  The distinguishing feature of their initial period will be its crucial and critical, decisive character.
  This builds commitment among staff, a critical factor for business success.
  The critical factor in the failure of endowment mortgages has been poor investment returns.
  The sauna culture is critical and crucial to understanding Finland's commercial successes.
  One of the most critical factors in the success of any retreat is its ability to fully engage all attendees.
  But do they represent a critical factor in the success or failure of a business?
  Human and animal transport is often critical to the success or failure of a military campaign.
  This research considers the factors critical for success as perceived by different parties.
  This is crucial to our credibility and critical to our success.
  In today's fast-paced dairy industry, speed to market is a critical success factor.
  For that reason, we are starting with safety to emphasize its importance as critical to a successful project.
  You will need to follow the many family businesses for whom embracing non-family executives into the extended family of the firm is a critical success factor.
  Reducing elapsed time can in fact make the critical difference between success and failure.
  The board is going to have to make a critical decision about the successor.
  We know that early detection is of critical importance.
  This completely fails to recognise the critical importance that success in business has in funding our aspirations for the public services.
  Synonyms
  crucial, vital, essential, of the essence, all-important, important, of the utmost importance, of great consequence, high-priority, paramount, pre-eminent, fundamental, key, pivotal, deciding, decisive, climacteric, momentous
4Mathematics Physics
Relating to or denoting a point of transition from one state to another.
〔数，物理〕临界的
Example sentencesExamples
- Similarly, superconductivity can be destroyed by applying a magnetic field that exceeds some critical value.
- The bear market of 2002, however, has changed the critical threshold values for this indicator.
- On the other hand, if the frequency exceeded a certain critical value, there would be enough energy for the electron to be able to get away.
- When the fraction is close to the critical value, computation times become very large.
- As the concentration of cholesterol in the bilayer exceeds a critical value, phase separation occurs.
5(of a nuclear reactor or fuel) maintaining a self-sustaining chain reaction.
（核反应堆或燃料）临界的
the reactor is due to go critical in October
该核反应堆预计到十月份开始临界。

Origin

Mid 16th century (in the sense ‘relating to the crisis of a disease’): from late Latin criticus (see critic).

词汇	critical
释义	Definition of critical in English: critical adjective ˈkrɪtɪk(ə)lˈkrɪdək(ə)l 1Expressing adverse or disapproving comments or judgements. 持相反（或反对）意见的 I was very critical of the previous regime 我对前政权很有意见。 Example sentencesExamples The report is highly critical of the quality of teaching standards Parts of the report are heavily critical of the district's police who, it says, have conflicting styles. Children with low self-esteem tend to be overly critical of and easily disappointed in themselves. The report was critical of many things in the town including the fire station. The report was critical of police because there was no formal procedure to chase up those who failed to answer to bail. Of course, to be honest, since when has a one of these reports been really critical of the government that set it up? The report is also critical of road safety education because of its lack of prominence, vagueness and poor training for teachers. The report is highly critical of succeeding governments because to date nothing has happened. The report was critical of his involvement in the deal. We think also it's probably the most critical of all the reports done so far. Mr Lloyd also revealed that an internal report had been critical of the force's vetting system. The Ofsted report was highly critical of the school, and said its weaknesses far exceeded its strengths. The environment committee has just published a report that's quite critical of the executive. Inman is highly critical of industry sponsored safety studies, which he regards as marketing exercises. The report was critical of the British government, essentially describing current initiatives to tackle obesity as much talk but little action. While the report is critical of the intelligence services, it clears the British Prime Minister of misleading the public over the case for war. He has also been critical of overcrowding in Scotland's jails. The report is critical of the inhumane treatment of children in arbitrary detention and calls into question our commitment to human rights. Last year the National Tidy Towns Report was very critical of litter in our town and surrounding areas, and so far this year the same problem has arisen. The consultants report was very critical of the company and the Trust for employing too many overpaid people with very substantial perks. Synonyms censorious, condemnatory, condemning, castigatory, reproving, denunciatory, deprecatory, disparaging, disapproving, scathing, criticizing, fault-finding, judgemental, negative, unfavourable, unsympathetic hypercritical, ultra-critical, overcritical, pedantic, pettifogging, cavilling, carping, quibbling, niggling Scottish &amp Irish pass-remarkable informal nitpicking, hair-splitting, pernickety, picky, griping, bitching, bellyaching, whingeing rare reprobatory, reprobative 2Expressing or involving an analysis of the merits and faults of a work of literature, music, or art. （对文艺作品）批评的；评论（性）的 she never won the critical acclaim she sought 她从未得到过她试图得到的评论界的赞扬。 Example sentencesExamples The band is stirring both critical and popular acclaim for their soulful, virtuoso playing and thrilling live performances. Set up a year ago by Martin Wheeler, 33, Iwari and its artists have sparked critical acclaim in the music press. It was released in July 2001 to critical acclaim. How does he feel about the critical acclaim from a usually unimpressed music scene? The 20-year-old left with top grades in philosophy, English literature and sociology as well as a merit in critical thinking. An unlikely Australian export is receiving critical acclaim in Britain. He has also performed Handel's ‘Messiah’ to huge critical acclaim in the past. The next thing I knew, I was on the receiving end of some serious critical acclaim. His intense, swaggering stage presence and masterful violin playing has won him both fans and critical acclaim all over the world. His recent CD recording of Liszt's piano music received critical acclaim. It received critical acclaim and the British music press were touting the song's writer, Annie, as a future world-conquering popstar. Lee, 35, has been in the play for 18 months, including a stint in London's West End, where he received critical acclaim. The novel brought her major critical acclaim and received the Prix Medici literary award in 1964. Drawing comparisons between film-makers and designers has its merits on critical and theoretical levels. Not all the projects have garnered critical acclaim, but few involved in New York's music scene fail to acknowledge Moss' gutsiness. Her second album secured her place in the hearts of real music fans and won her wide critical acclaim. For the first time since the late 1960s British rock music was experiencing critical and financial acclaim. Already their work has come in for considerable critical acclaim from those that have seen it and it is expected to be in huge demand by poetry and art lovers. BBC Music achieved significant sales growth and critical acclaim this year. It makes you feel good to watch, regardless of what critical merits it possesses. Synonyms evaluative, analytic, analytical, interpretative, expository, commentative, explanatory, explicative, elucidative 2.1 (of a text) incorporating a detailed and scholarly analysis and commentary. （已出版的文学或音乐文本）附有详细深刻分析与评论的 a critical edition of a Bach sonata 附有权威评论的巴赫奏鸣曲版本。 Example sentencesExamples They would not know that there is presently a vast body of critical literature. Translations of major texts are borrowed from current scholarly editions, while English texts are based on critical editions. A critical edition of the same in English is also being done simultaneously. Moreover, to be truly seen and understood is close to the pinnacle for a work of art, and no critical essay can see and understand as deeply as the best parodies. He published 17 volumes of poetry, numerous translations, and two volumes of critical essays. These texts are joined by a critical essay and an extensive bibliography of each poet's work. Carver read drafts and wrote over 300 pages of critical notes for Robertson. This is a new translation of the German critical edition of Bonhoeffer's text. The comprehensive citation of critical articles and journals will be extremely useful to scholars. The critical literature provides three different schools of thought on this subject. Many of the critical essays skillfully blend pertinent close readings with wider cultural background. Since Q2 represents the text closest to the author's manuscript it might be chosen as the copy text for a critical edition. Those who were denied the right to vote in free and fair elections, to own mobile phones and to buy critical literature are now free to do so. Let us hypothesize, therefore, that Barthes set out to write critical texts as if they were the theses he never wrote. Yesterday they were presented to the public, together with plans for a definitive critical edition of Benjamin's works. Entire pages of these two critical texts are presented in her book, bilingual explanations on the left-hand side, graphic images on the right. There are virtually no references to the vast critical literature on Dostoevsky. I'd rather just read the critical text than read the same thing watered down and simplified in fiction. This book is a hybrid negotiating the ground between critical text and coffee table ornament. Every museum publication has critical essays and an interview with the artist. 2.2 Involving the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgement. professors often find it difficult to encourage critical thinking amongst their students Example sentencesExamples True, they produce many religious pamphlets, but relatively few books that contribute to critical knowledge. Peer learning tasks that require critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making can be challenging for both the teacher and students. U.S. Latino Literatures and Cultures: Transnational Perspectives is an important point of reference in assessing developments in this rapidly evolving field of critical enquiry. Women Studies from the beginning was projected as a critical inquiry that would seek to expose the structures that upheld the subordination of women. The critical evaluations of a favourite work by four Irish art critics are both informative and entertaining. Gavin sits on a Masters Degree Visual Arts Practises course with me where we have seen critical judgment voided by curatorial organisational skills. Interpret the results: Whereas statistical analysis is mostly computer-based, interpretation of the results requires critical thinking. Freire's own model of critical pedagogy invites a critical interrogation of this flaw in the work. The investigations, however, were not only celebratory; various critical examinations of the institution of cinema also emerged. Key to the audit committee's effectiveness and accountability is a critical self assessment for the audit committee as well as each individual member. To those who have an education grounded in critical thinking and science we can see through it very clearly. The book is divided into two parts: a 35-page critical essay followed by drawings grouped according to theme. The caricatures are critical analyses of a writer's childhood, life style, ideology and views. Three major areas in which the Intelligence field must retrofit are in force structure, training and critical thinking skills. The book is written to engage the tribe of fellow economists who often pride themselves as critical thinkers. But it's the number raptors killed - the eight owls and 10 hawks - that drew Ho's critical eye. In these and similar cases, Loury's critical insight is that mistakes in perception lead to mistakes in judgment that reinforce the initial social stigma. Hilliard describes educators who respect prior knowledge and engage in critical analysis, who treat their children as scholars. The classic critical essay in this third region of investigation is Paul de Man's " The Rhetoric of Temporality ". Like the other work in this issue, Leong's vision arrests and disturbs, creating unsettling moments that insistently summon critical imagination. 3(of a situation or problem) having the potential to become disastrous; at a point of crisis. （情况或问题）有可能成为灾难的；危急的 the floodwaters had not receded and the situation was still critical 洪水尚未退去，情况仍很危急。 Example sentencesExamples The city on the hill has a very critical problem with water. In Scotland the situation is particularly critical. There's also traction control to help you keep in command during critical situations such as ice or gravel on the roads. The report reveals that shortage of specialist staff in key areas still remains a critical problem. And remember, we were talking of a very critical situation. The security guards expressed similar fears but were more confident because they are trained to handle such critical situations. We have a potentially critical situation here. I'm afraid that if anything, the situation is more critical and needs attention globally. It puts us in a difficult and critical situation. The situation is critical, and the government should act NOW! It will also prove that the Indonesian government is intelligent and creative enough to resolve its most critical problems. This is a creative and innovative way of solving a very critical problem for America. None of these problems is critical, but they all act to inhibit the process of renewing Australia's economic infrastructure. It was a critical situation that confronted our firemen. We usually get an urgent notice in case the situation is too critical. He replied that his company didn't think it was facing a critical situation at that point. That was a critical problem that we've had in the past. Saxe-Coburg postponed his Wednesday visit to Brussels because of the critical situation after the terrorist acts. They felt that they had to do something in this critical situation. The situation is critical and the EU countries must resolve this problem before the December 17 Meeting. Synonyms grave, serious, dangerous, risky, perilous, hazardous, precarious, touch-and-go, in the balance, uncertain, desperate, dire, acute, very bad life-and-death, life-threatening informal chancy, dicey, hairy, iffy British informal dodgy archaic or humorous parlous Medicine peracute, profound rare egregious 3.1 Extremely ill and at risk of death. （人）病情严重的；病危的 she was critical but stable in Middlesbrough General Hospital 她住在米德尔斯布勒总医院里，病情危重但还稳定。 Example sentencesExamples Kathy was dead from head wounds, and her son and husband were taken to the hospital in critical condition. He remained in critical condition on a life-support machine, but lost his fight for life yesterday afternoon. Eight Israeli soldiers were wounded, one of whom is in critical condition. He had been in critical condition since he was assaulted on Sunday. He was taken to hospital and was in critical condition. Two of the five taken to the hospital are in critical condition. More than a dozen were in critical condition with head and chest wounds and severe burns. One soldier was in critical condition and the other two were in stable condition. One of them was in critical condition following surgery for multiple internal injuries and severe burns. One of them is in critical condition, the other in serious condition. The second younger couple was so seriously injured that they were airlifted to Hamilton General Hospital in critical condition. One person is said to be in critical condition, four others in serious condition. One of the 17 injured was said to be in critical condition. It said nine of those injured were in critical condition, suggesting that the death toll might rise. Although Gainer was in critical condition on Sunday, he was in stable condition on Monday at Foothills Hospital. The 82-year-old female driver of the vehicle remains in critical condition at Lions Gate Hospital. Many were taken to Rhode Island Hospital and 38 remained there yesterday, 14 of them in critical condition. One recruit is dead from a rash and another person is in critical condition with a serious form of Strep. As of Wednesday afternoon at least two workers remained in critical condition from severe burns and six others were listed in serious condition. Following the accident, he was rushed to hospital in critical condition with a severe head injury and underwent brain surgery the very next day. 3.2 Having a decisive or crucial importance in the success, failure, or existence of something. 关键性的；决定性的 temperature is a critical factor in successful fruit storage 温度是成功储藏水果的一个决定性因素。 getting banks lending again was critical to any recovery in combination time-critical tasks Example sentencesExamples The sauna culture is critical and crucial to understanding Finland's commercial successes. The critical factor in the failure of endowment mortgages has been poor investment returns. This is crucial to our credibility and critical to our success. The board is going to have to make a critical decision about the successor. This completely fails to recognise the critical importance that success in business has in funding our aspirations for the public services. Simply stated, this is an issue of critical importance to the future success of the New Zealand economy. In today's fast-paced dairy industry, speed to market is a critical success factor. But do they represent a critical factor in the success or failure of a business? Reducing elapsed time can in fact make the critical difference between success and failure. This research considers the factors critical for success as perceived by different parties. For that reason, we are starting with safety to emphasize its importance as critical to a successful project. This gives them the right to take decisions of critical importance, having gained two thirds of the stake in the holding. You will need to follow the many family businesses for whom embracing non-family executives into the extended family of the firm is a critical success factor. One of the most critical factors in the success of any retreat is its ability to fully engage all attendees. A critical success factor that the research team found related to strong product knowledge. The distinguishing feature of their initial period will be its crucial and critical, decisive character. Human and animal transport is often critical to the success or failure of a military campaign. We know that early detection is of critical importance. This builds commitment among staff, a critical factor for business success. Each focuses on different critical factors in its success at the individual, group, and community levels. Synonyms crucial, vital, essential, of the essence, all-important, important, of the utmost importance, of great consequence, high-priority, paramount, pre-eminent, fundamental, key, pivotal, deciding, decisive, climacteric, momentous serious, urgent, pressing, compelling, exigent 4Mathematics Physics Relating to or denoting a point of transition from one state to another. 〔数，物理〕临界的 if the density is less than a certain critical value the gravitational attraction will be too weak to halt the expansion Example sentencesExamples When the fraction is close to the critical value, computation times become very large. As the concentration of cholesterol in the bilayer exceeds a critical value, phase separation occurs. Similarly, superconductivity can be destroyed by applying a magnetic field that exceeds some critical value. The bear market of 2002, however, has changed the critical threshold values for this indicator. On the other hand, if the frequency exceeded a certain critical value, there would be enough energy for the electron to be able to get away. 5(of a nuclear reactor or fuel) maintaining a self-sustaining chain reaction. （核反应堆或燃料）临界的 the reactor is due to go critical in October 该核反应堆预计到十月份开始临界。 Derivatives criticality noun ˌkrɪtɪˈkalɪtiˌkrɪdəˈkælədi mass noun 1Crucial importance. all the agencies understand the criticality of their IT systems to their operations Example sentencesExamples science underscores the criticality of a child's earliest years to better health in adulthood The authors have developed a matrix on which a company can plot its functions on the X-axis according to their criticality and its capabilities on the Y-axis. On their part, the employees understood the criticality of the situation. To make an analogy; in any situation, if criticality in stability is seen, the unstable mass must be contained and/or isolated, in order to minimise any possible ensuing collateral damage. reactor 4 at the Oi nuclear power plant reached criticality on Thursday morning 2(of a nuclear reactor or fuel) the quality or state of maintaining a self-sustaining chain reaction. （核反应堆或燃料）临界的 criticalness noun The issue of distortion or bias in social cognition is difficult to address with the present data, as the ratings of attentiveness, criticalness, and admiration are inherently subjective. Example sentencesExamples You should not let your father's or mother's negativity, depression and criticalness be contagious. This anchoring reinforced that the criticalness was about Susan, not her. I understand the criticalness of candidate selection and promotion of our future leaders. Who makes a family decision depends on the criticalness of the issue. Origin Mid 16th century (in the sense 'relating to the crisis of a disease'): from late Latin criticus (see critic). Rhymes analytical, apolitical, cryptanalytical, diacritical, eremitical, geopolitical, hypercritical, hypocritical, political, socio-political, subcritical Definition of critical in US English: critical adjectiveˈkrɪdək(ə)lˈkridək(ə)l 1Expressing adverse or disapproving comments or judgments. 持相反（或反对）意见的 he was critical of many U.S. welfare programs Example sentencesExamples Inman is highly critical of industry sponsored safety studies, which he regards as marketing exercises. The consultants report was very critical of the company and the Trust for employing too many overpaid people with very substantial perks. The report is highly critical of the quality of teaching standards The report is also critical of road safety education because of its lack of prominence, vagueness and poor training for teachers. Of course, to be honest, since when has a one of these reports been really critical of the government that set it up? The report was critical of the British government, essentially describing current initiatives to tackle obesity as much talk but little action. Last year the National Tidy Towns Report was very critical of litter in our town and surrounding areas, and so far this year the same problem has arisen. Parts of the report are heavily critical of the district's police who, it says, have conflicting styles. Mr Lloyd also revealed that an internal report had been critical of the force's vetting system. He has also been critical of overcrowding in Scotland's jails. The report is critical of the inhumane treatment of children in arbitrary detention and calls into question our commitment to human rights. The report was critical of his involvement in the deal. The report is highly critical of succeeding governments because to date nothing has happened. The report was critical of police because there was no formal procedure to chase up those who failed to answer to bail. Children with low self-esteem tend to be overly critical of and easily disappointed in themselves. We think also it's probably the most critical of all the reports done so far. The environment committee has just published a report that's quite critical of the executive. The Ofsted report was highly critical of the school, and said its weaknesses far exceeded its strengths. The report was critical of many things in the town including the fire station. While the report is critical of the intelligence services, it clears the British Prime Minister of misleading the public over the case for war. Synonyms censorious, condemnatory, condemning, castigatory, reproving, denunciatory, deprecatory, disparaging, disapproving, scathing, criticizing, fault-finding, judgemental, negative, unfavourable, unsympathetic 2Expressing or involving an analysis of the merits and faults of a work of literature, music, or art. （对文艺作品）批评的；评论（性）的 she never won the critical acclaim she sought 她从未得到过她试图得到的评论界的赞扬。 Example sentencesExamples BBC Music achieved significant sales growth and critical acclaim this year. The band is stirring both critical and popular acclaim for their soulful, virtuoso playing and thrilling live performances. How does he feel about the critical acclaim from a usually unimpressed music scene? His intense, swaggering stage presence and masterful violin playing has won him both fans and critical acclaim all over the world. Set up a year ago by Martin Wheeler, 33, Iwari and its artists have sparked critical acclaim in the music press. He has also performed Handel's ‘Messiah’ to huge critical acclaim in the past. Already their work has come in for considerable critical acclaim from those that have seen it and it is expected to be in huge demand by poetry and art lovers. It was released in July 2001 to critical acclaim. The next thing I knew, I was on the receiving end of some serious critical acclaim. Her second album secured her place in the hearts of real music fans and won her wide critical acclaim. Not all the projects have garnered critical acclaim, but few involved in New York's music scene fail to acknowledge Moss' gutsiness. For the first time since the late 1960s British rock music was experiencing critical and financial acclaim. His recent CD recording of Liszt's piano music received critical acclaim. The novel brought her major critical acclaim and received the Prix Medici literary award in 1964. It received critical acclaim and the British music press were touting the song's writer, Annie, as a future world-conquering popstar. The 20-year-old left with top grades in philosophy, English literature and sociology as well as a merit in critical thinking. Drawing comparisons between film-makers and designers has its merits on critical and theoretical levels. Lee, 35, has been in the play for 18 months, including a stint in London's West End, where he received critical acclaim. It makes you feel good to watch, regardless of what critical merits it possesses. An unlikely Australian export is receiving critical acclaim in Britain. Synonyms evaluative, analytic, analytical, interpretative, expository, commentative, explanatory, explicative, elucidative 2.1 (of a published literary or musical text) incorporating a detailed and scholarly analysis and commentary. （已出版的文学或音乐文本）附有详细深刻分析与评论的 a critical edition of a Bach sonata 附有权威评论的巴赫奏鸣曲版本。 Example sentencesExamples Since Q2 represents the text closest to the author's manuscript it might be chosen as the copy text for a critical edition. Entire pages of these two critical texts are presented in her book, bilingual explanations on the left-hand side, graphic images on the right. Translations of major texts are borrowed from current scholarly editions, while English texts are based on critical editions. A critical edition of the same in English is also being done simultaneously. He published 17 volumes of poetry, numerous translations, and two volumes of critical essays. They would not know that there is presently a vast body of critical literature. Moreover, to be truly seen and understood is close to the pinnacle for a work of art, and no critical essay can see and understand as deeply as the best parodies. Yesterday they were presented to the public, together with plans for a definitive critical edition of Benjamin's works. There are virtually no references to the vast critical literature on Dostoevsky. Carver read drafts and wrote over 300 pages of critical notes for Robertson. The comprehensive citation of critical articles and journals will be extremely useful to scholars. These texts are joined by a critical essay and an extensive bibliography of each poet's work. Many of the critical essays skillfully blend pertinent close readings with wider cultural background. The critical literature provides three different schools of thought on this subject. This book is a hybrid negotiating the ground between critical text and coffee table ornament. Those who were denied the right to vote in free and fair elections, to own mobile phones and to buy critical literature are now free to do so. Every museum publication has critical essays and an interview with the artist. This is a new translation of the German critical edition of Bonhoeffer's text. Let us hypothesize, therefore, that Barthes set out to write critical texts as if they were the theses he never wrote. I'd rather just read the critical text than read the same thing watered down and simplified in fiction. 2.2 Involving the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgement. professors often find it difficult to encourage critical thinking in their students 3(of a situation or problem) having the potential to become disastrous; at a point of crisis. （情况或问题）有可能成为灾难的；危急的 the flood waters had not receded, and the situation was still critical 洪水尚未退去，情况仍很危急。 Example sentencesExamples We have a potentially critical situation here. In Scotland the situation is particularly critical. It puts us in a difficult and critical situation. The security guards expressed similar fears but were more confident because they are trained to handle such critical situations. There's also traction control to help you keep in command during critical situations such as ice or gravel on the roads. The situation is critical, and the government should act NOW! The city on the hill has a very critical problem with water. That was a critical problem that we've had in the past. This is a creative and innovative way of solving a very critical problem for America. Saxe-Coburg postponed his Wednesday visit to Brussels because of the critical situation after the terrorist acts. It was a critical situation that confronted our firemen. The situation is critical and the EU countries must resolve this problem before the December 17 Meeting. And remember, we were talking of a very critical situation. I'm afraid that if anything, the situation is more critical and needs attention globally. They felt that they had to do something in this critical situation. He replied that his company didn't think it was facing a critical situation at that point. None of these problems is critical, but they all act to inhibit the process of renewing Australia's economic infrastructure. We usually get an urgent notice in case the situation is too critical. It will also prove that the Indonesian government is intelligent and creative enough to resolve its most critical problems. The report reveals that shortage of specialist staff in key areas still remains a critical problem. Synonyms grave, serious, dangerous, risky, perilous, hazardous, precarious, touch-and-go, in the balance, uncertain, desperate, dire, acute, very bad 3.1 (of a person) extremely ill and at risk of death. （人）病情严重的；病危的 he had been in critical condition since undergoing surgery Example sentencesExamples As of Wednesday afternoon at least two workers remained in critical condition from severe burns and six others were listed in serious condition. One of the 17 injured was said to be in critical condition. Eight Israeli soldiers were wounded, one of whom is in critical condition. The 82-year-old female driver of the vehicle remains in critical condition at Lions Gate Hospital. One person is said to be in critical condition, four others in serious condition. More than a dozen were in critical condition with head and chest wounds and severe burns. One of them is in critical condition, the other in serious condition. The second younger couple was so seriously injured that they were airlifted to Hamilton General Hospital in critical condition. Two of the five taken to the hospital are in critical condition. Many were taken to Rhode Island Hospital and 38 remained there yesterday, 14 of them in critical condition. It said nine of those injured were in critical condition, suggesting that the death toll might rise. He had been in critical condition since he was assaulted on Sunday. One of them was in critical condition following surgery for multiple internal injuries and severe burns. Following the accident, he was rushed to hospital in critical condition with a severe head injury and underwent brain surgery the very next day. One soldier was in critical condition and the other two were in stable condition. One recruit is dead from a rash and another person is in critical condition with a serious form of Strep. He remained in critical condition on a life-support machine, but lost his fight for life yesterday afternoon. Although Gainer was in critical condition on Sunday, he was in stable condition on Monday at Foothills Hospital. Kathy was dead from head wounds, and her son and husband were taken to the hospital in critical condition. He was taken to hospital and was in critical condition. 3.2 Having a decisive or crucial importance in the success, failure, or existence of something. 关键性的；决定性的 temperature is a critical factor in successful fruit storage 温度是成功储藏水果的一个决定性因素。 getting banks lending again was critical to any recovery Example sentencesExamples Simply stated, this is an issue of critical importance to the future success of the New Zealand economy. A critical success factor that the research team found related to strong product knowledge. Each focuses on different critical factors in its success at the individual, group, and community levels. This gives them the right to take decisions of critical importance, having gained two thirds of the stake in the holding. The distinguishing feature of their initial period will be its crucial and critical, decisive character. This builds commitment among staff, a critical factor for business success. The critical factor in the failure of endowment mortgages has been poor investment returns. The sauna culture is critical and crucial to understanding Finland's commercial successes. One of the most critical factors in the success of any retreat is its ability to fully engage all attendees. But do they represent a critical factor in the success or failure of a business? Human and animal transport is often critical to the success or failure of a military campaign. This research considers the factors critical for success as perceived by different parties. This is crucial to our credibility and critical to our success. In today's fast-paced dairy industry, speed to market is a critical success factor. For that reason, we are starting with safety to emphasize its importance as critical to a successful project. You will need to follow the many family businesses for whom embracing non-family executives into the extended family of the firm is a critical success factor. Reducing elapsed time can in fact make the critical difference between success and failure. The board is going to have to make a critical decision about the successor. We know that early detection is of critical importance. This completely fails to recognise the critical importance that success in business has in funding our aspirations for the public services. Synonyms crucial, vital, essential, of the essence, all-important, important, of the utmost importance, of great consequence, high-priority, paramount, pre-eminent, fundamental, key, pivotal, deciding, decisive, climacteric, momentous 4Mathematics Physics Relating to or denoting a point of transition from one state to another. 〔数，物理〕临界的 Example sentencesExamples Similarly, superconductivity can be destroyed by applying a magnetic field that exceeds some critical value. The bear market of 2002, however, has changed the critical threshold values for this indicator. On the other hand, if the frequency exceeded a certain critical value, there would be enough energy for the electron to be able to get away. When the fraction is close to the critical value, computation times become very large. As the concentration of cholesterol in the bilayer exceeds a critical value, phase separation occurs. 5(of a nuclear reactor or fuel) maintaining a self-sustaining chain reaction. （核反应堆或燃料）临界的 the reactor is due to go critical in October 该核反应堆预计到十月份开始临界。 Origin Mid 16th century (in the sense ‘relating to the crisis of a disease’): from late Latin criticus (see critic).
随便看	prenasal prenasalisation prenasalise prenasalised prenasality prenasalization prenasalize prenasalized prenatal prenatalist prenatally prenatally pre-need preneoplastic prenephritic preneural prenex prenex normal form prenoble prenol prenominal prenominally prenominally prenominate prenominated