critical point

1. Physics The temperature and pressure at which the liquid and gaseous phases of a pure stable substance become identical. Also called critical state.

2. Mathematics

a. A maximum, minimum, or point of inflection of a curve.

b. A point at which the derivative of a function is zero, infinite, or undefined.

critical point

1. (Physics / General Physics) Physics

a. the point on a phase diagram that represents the critical state of a substance

b. another name for critical state

2. (Mathematics) Maths the US name for stationary point

critical point

1. Physics The temperature and pressure at which the liquid and gaseous phases of a pure substance become unstable and fluctuate locally within the substance. The critical point of water is at a temperature of 374°C (705.2°F) and a pressure of 218 atmospheres, at which point it becomes opaque. Compare triple point.

2. Mathematics

a. A maximum, minimum, or point of inflection of a curve.

b. A point at which the derivative of a function is zero, infinite, or undefined.

1. A key geographical point or position important to the success of an operation.
2. In point of time, a crisis or a turning point in an operation.
3. A selected point along a line of march used for reference in giving instructions.
4. A point where there is a change of direction or change in slope in a ridge or stream.
5. Any point along a route of march where interference with a troop movement may occur.

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun

critical point - a crisis situation or point in time when a critical decision must be made; "at that juncture he had no idea what to do"; "he must be made to realize that the company stands at a critical point"

crossroads, juncture

crisis - an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty; "they went bankrupt during the economic crisis"

criticality - a critical state; especially the point at which a nuclear reaction is self-sustaining

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build up corner crisis critical critical pressure critical state critical temperature criticality critically Criticalness crossroads crunch Crux decisive emergent evolution go no-go high juncture knife edge	Bear in mind, too, that under these untoward circumstances he has to cut many feet deep in the flesh; and in that subterraneous manner, without so much as getting one single peep into the ever-contracting gash thus made, he must skilfully steer clear of all adjacent, interdicted parts, and exactly divide the spine at a critical point hard by its insertion into the skull. Moby Dick LXVIII-CXXXIV by Melville, Herman View in context In the First Part of this history we left the valiant Biscayan and the renowned Don Quixote with drawn swords uplifted, ready to deliver two such furious slashing blows that if they had fallen full and fair they would at least have split and cleft them asunder from top to toe and laid them open like a pomegranate; and at this so critical point the delightful history came to a stop and stood cut short without any intimation from the author where what was missing was to be found. Don Quixote by Cervantes, Miguel View in context He told me that it was a critical point indeed for me to manage, and he did not see which way I should get out of it; but he would consider it, and let me know next time we met, what resolution he was come to about it; and in the meantime desired I would not give my consent to his brother, nor yet give him a flat denial, but that I would hold him in suspense a while. The Fortunes & Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders by Defoe, Daniel View in context	Crith crithomancy critic critic report critical critical altitude critical analysis critical angle critical apparatus critical appraisal critical constants critical damping critical information Critical Infrastructure Protection critical intelligence critical item critical item list critical joint duty assignment billet critical mass critical node critical occupational specialty critical path critical path analysis critical period Critical philosophy critical point critical pressure critical region critical review critical safety item critical speed critical state critical supplies and materiel critical sustainability item critical temperature critical volume criticality critically Criticalness criticaster Criticisable Criticise Criticiser criticism Criticism, Dramatic and Literary criticize critique critter critter sitter Crius Crixivan	Critical Path Scheduling Critical Path Scheduling Method Critical Path Technique critical paths critical paths critical paths critical pathway Critical Peak Pricing Critical Performance Indicator Critical Performance Measure Critical period Critical period Critical period Critical Period Hypothesis critical period of development Critical Period of Weed Control critical periods critical periods critical periods Critical Perspectives on Global Governance critical pH critical pH critical pH critical pH Critical Phase System Software Critical phenomena Critical phenomenon Critical philosophy Critical Pitting Temperature Critical Played Items List critical point Critical point (thermodynamics) Critical point (thermodynamics) Critical point drying Critical point drying Critical point drying Critical point drying Critical point drying Critical Point Facility Critical Point Generation Critical Point Generation Index Vector Critical point opalescence Critical Point Region Critical points Critical points Critical points Critical points Critical Political Economy Critical Population Group critical potential Critical Power Critical Power Ratio critical pressure critical pressure critical pressure Critical Pressure Boiler critical pressures critical pressures critical pressures Critical Problem Report Critical Process Assessment Tool

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build up
corner
crisis
critical
critical pressure
critical state
critical temperature
criticality
critically
Criticalness
crossroads
crunch
Crux
decisive
emergent evolution
go no-go
high
juncture
knife edge

Bear in mind, too, that under these untoward circumstances he has to cut many feet deep in the flesh; and in that subterraneous manner, without so much as getting one single peep into the ever-contracting gash thus made, he must skilfully steer clear of all adjacent, interdicted parts, and exactly divide the spine at a critical point hard by its insertion into the skull.

Moby Dick LXVIII-CXXXIV by Melville, Herman View in context

In the First Part of this history we left the valiant Biscayan and the renowned Don Quixote with drawn swords uplifted, ready to deliver two such furious slashing blows that if they had fallen full and fair they would at least have split and cleft them asunder from top to toe and laid them open like a pomegranate; and at this so critical point the delightful history came to a stop and stood cut short without any intimation from the author where what was missing was to be found.

Don Quixote by Cervantes, Miguel View in context

He told me that it was a critical point indeed for me to manage, and he did not see which way I should get out of it; but he would consider it, and let me know next time we met, what resolution he was come to about it; and in the meantime desired I would not give my consent to his brother, nor yet give him a flat denial, but that I would hold him in suspense a while.

The Fortunes & Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders by Defoe, Daniel View in context

Critical Path Scheduling
Critical Path Scheduling Method
Critical Path Technique
critical paths
critical paths
critical paths
critical pathway
Critical Peak Pricing
Critical Performance Indicator
Critical Performance Measure
Critical period
Critical period
Critical period
Critical Period Hypothesis
critical period of development
Critical Period of Weed Control
critical periods
critical periods
critical periods
Critical Perspectives on Global Governance
critical pH
critical pH
critical pH
critical pH
Critical Phase System Software
Critical phenomena
Critical phenomenon
Critical philosophy
Critical Pitting Temperature
Critical Played Items List

critical point

Critical point (thermodynamics)
Critical point (thermodynamics)
Critical point drying
Critical point drying
Critical point drying
Critical point drying
Critical point drying
Critical Point Facility
Critical Point Generation
Critical Point Generation Index Vector
Critical point opalescence
Critical Point Region
Critical points
Critical points
Critical points
Critical points
Critical Political Economy
Critical Population Group
critical potential
Critical Power
Critical Power Ratio
critical pressure
critical pressure
critical pressure
Critical Pressure Boiler
critical pressures
critical pressures
critical pressures
Critical Problem Report
Critical Process Assessment Tool