critical

adj 1: marked by a tendency to find and call attention to errors

and flaws; "a critical attitude" [ant: {uncritical}]

2: (chemistry and physics) 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" [ant: {noncritical}]

3: characterized by careful evaluation and judgment; "a

critical reading"; "a critical dissertation"; "a critical

analysis of Melville's writings [ant: {uncritical}]

4: urgently needed; absolutely necessary; "a critical element

of the plan"; "critical medical supplies"; "vital for a

healthy society"; "foods indispensable to good nutrition"

[syn: {vital}]

5: forming or having the nature of a turning point or crisis;

"a critical point in the campaign"; "the critical test"

[syn: {decisive}]

6: 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" [ant: {noncritical}]

7: of or involving or characteristic of critics or criticism;

"critical acclaim"