Main Entry:

cru·cial

Pronunciation:

\ˈkrü-shəl\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

French, from Latin cruc-, crux cross

Date:

1706

1archaic : cruciform2 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