crisis

cri·sis

noun \ˈkrī-səs\

plural cri·ses \ˈkrī-ˌsēz\

Definition of CRISIS

1

a : the turning point for better or worse in an acute disease or fever

b : a paroxysmal attack of pain, distress, or disordered function

c : an emotionally significant event or radical change of status in a person's life <a midlife crisis>

2

: the decisive moment (as in a literary plot)

3

a : an unstable or crucial time or state of affairs in which a decisive change is impending; especially : one with the distinct possibility of a highly undesirable outcome <a financial crisis>

b : a situation that has reached a critical phase <the environmental crisis>

Examples of CRISIS

1. She was dealing with a family crisis at the time.
2. Most people blame the government for the country's worsening economic crisis.
3. last year's state budget crisis
4. In times of national crisis, we need strong leaders we can trust.
5. A year ago, both companies were in crisis.

Origin of CRISIS

Middle English, from Latin, from Greek krisis, literally, decision, from krinein to decide — more at certain

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to CRISIS

Synonyms

boiling point, breaking point, clutch, conjuncture, emergency, crossroad(s), crunch, crunch time, Dunkirk, exigency, extremity, flash point, head, juncture, tinderbox, zero hour

Related Words

contingency, possibility; climax, turning point; happening, landmark, milestone; condition, pass, situation, strait; deadlock, impasse, stalemate; corner, fix, hole, hot water, jam, last ditch, pinch, predicament, scrape, spot; eleventh hour, last minute

See Synonym Discussion at juncture

Rhymes with CRISIS

lysis, nisus

cri·sis

noun \ˈkrī-səs\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural cri·ses \-ˌsēz\

Medical Definition of CRISIS

1

: the turning point for better or worse in an acute disease or fever; especially : a sudden turn for the better (as sudden abatement in severity of symptoms or abrupt drop in temperature)—compare lysis 1

2

: a paroxysmal attack of pain, distress, or disordered function <tabetic crisis> <cardiac crisis>

3

: an emotionally significant event or radical change of status in a person's life

4

: a psychological or social condition characterized by unusual instability caused by excessive stress and either endangering or felt to endanger the continuity of an individual or group; especially : such a social condition requiring the transformation of cultural patterns and values