critical : Idioms & Phrases

• noun an appraisal based on careful analytical evaluation
  critical analysis.
  

WordNet

• noun the smallest angle of incidence for which light is totally reflected
  

WordNet

• (Optics), that angle of incidence of a luminous ray at which it is wholly reflected, and no portion of it transmitted. The sine of this angle is the reciprocal of the refractive index of the medium.

Webster 1913

• noun an appraisal based on careful analytical evaluation
  critical analysis.
  

WordNet

• noun the minimum amount (of something) required to start or maintain a venture
  
  • the battle for the computer market has now reached critical mass
  • there is now a critical mass of successful women to take the lead
  • they sold the business because it lacked critical mass
• noun the minimum mass of fissionable material that can sustain a chain reaction
  

WordNet

• the metaphysical system of Kant; so called from his most important work, the "Critique of Pure Reason. "

Webster 1913

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

WordNet

• (Physics), a certain temperature, different for different gases, but always the same for each gas, regarded as the limit above which no amount of pressure can produce condensation to a liquid.

Webster 1913

• noun an essay or article that gives a critical evaluation (as of a book or play)
  critique; review; review article.
  

WordNet