Main Entry: cru·cial

Pronunciation: \ˈkrü-shəl\

Function: adjective

Etymology: French, from Latin cruc-, crux cross

Date: 1706

1 archaic : cruciform
2 a : important or essential as resolving a crisis : decisive <a crucial step> b : marked by final determination of a doubtful issue <the crucial game of a series> c : important, significant <what use we make of them will be the crucial question — Stanley Kubrick>

synonyms see acute