crucial

adj 1: of extreme importance; vital to the resolution of a crisis;

"a crucial moment in his career"; "a crucial

election"; "a crucial issue for women" [syn: {important}]

[ant: {noncrucial}]

2: having crucial relevance; "crucial to the case"; "relevant

testimony" [syn: {relevant}]

3: of the greatest importance; "the all-important subject of

disarmament"; "crucial information"; "in chess cool nerves

are of the essence" [syn: {all-important(a)}, {all

important(p)}, {essential}, {of the essence(p)}]

4: having the power or quality of deciding; "the crucial

experiment"; "cast the deciding vote"; "the determinative

(or determinant) battle" [syn: {deciding(a)}, {determinant},

{determinative}, {determining(a)}]