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critical point

noun

Physics. the point at which a substance in one phase, as the liquid, has the same density, pressure, and temperature as in another phase, as the gaseous.

Mathematics.

(of a function of a single variable) a point at which the derivative of the function is zero.

(of a function of several variables) a point at which all partial derivatives of the function are zero.

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Origin:
1875–80

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Critical point is always a great word to know.

So is absorption. Does it mean:

the removal of energy or particles from a beam by the medium through which the beam propagates

a progressive disturbance propagated in a medium without progress or advance by the points themselves, as in the transmission of sound or light

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Collins

World English Dictionary

critical point

—n
1.	physics
	a. the point on a phase diagram that represents the critical state of a substance
	b. another name for critical state
2.	maths the US name for stationary point

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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American Heritage

Science Dictionary

critical point

Physics The temperature and pressure at which the liquid and gaseous phases of a pure substance become unstable and fluctuate locally within the substance. The critical point of water is at a temperature of 374°C (705.2°F) and a pressure of 218 atmospheres, at which point it becomes opaque. Compare triple point.
Mathematics
1. A maximum, minimum, or point of inflection of a curve.
2. A point at which the derivative of a function is zero, infinite, or undefined.

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"Philosophy can be compared to some powders that are so corrosive that, after they have eaten away the infected flesh of a wound, they then devour the living flesh, rot the bones, and penetrate to the very marrow. Philosophy at first refutes errors. But if it is not stopped at this point, it goes on to attack truths. And when it is left on its own, it goes so far that it no longer knows where it is and can find no stopping place."

-Pierre Bayle

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