Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

crisic

 - 4 dictionary results

cri⋅sis

  [krahy-sis] noun, plural -ses  [-seez] , adjective
Use crisic in a Sentence
–noun
1. a stage in a sequence of events at which the trend of all future events, esp. for better or for worse, is determined; turning point.
2. a condition of instability or danger, as in social, economic, political, or international affairs, leading to a decisive change.
3. a dramatic emotional or circumstantial upheaval in a person's life.
4. Medicine/Medical.
a. the point in the course of a serious disease at which a decisive change occurs, leading either to recovery or to death.
b. the change itself.
5. the point in a play or story at which hostile elements are most tensely opposed to each other.
–adjective
6. of, referring to, or for use in dealing with a crisis.
Origin:
1375–1425; late ME < L < Gk krísis decision, equiv. to kri- var. s. of krnein to decide, separate, judge + -sis -sis

Related forms:
crisic, adjective

Synonyms:
1. See emergency.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To crisic
Word Origin & History

crisis 
c.1425, from Gk. krisis "turning point in a disease" (used as such by Hippocrates and Galen), lit. "judgment," from krinein "to separate, decide, judge," from PIE base *krei- "to sieve, discriminate, distinguish" (cf. Gk. krinesthai "to explain;" O.E. hriddel "sieve;" L. cribrum "sieve," crimen "judgment, crime," cernere (pp. cretus) "to sift, separate;" O.Ir. criathar, O.Welsh cruitr "sieve;" M.Ir. crich "border, boundary"). Transferred non-medical sense is 1627. A Ger. term for "mid-life crisis" is Torschlusspanik, lit. "shut-door-panic," fear of being on the wrong side of a closing gate.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: cri·sis
Pronunciation: 'krI-s&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural cri·ses /-"sEz/
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 intemperature) —compare LYSIS 1
2 : a paroxysmal attack of pain, distress, or disordered functioncrisis> crisis>
3 : an emotionally significant event or radical change of status in a person's life
4 : apsychological 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
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

crisis cri·sis (krī'sĭs)
n. pl. cri·ses (-sēz)

  1. A sudden change in the course of a disease or fever, toward either improvement or deterioration.

  2. An emotionally stressful event or a traumatic change in one's life.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see crisic on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way