Inflected forms: pl. cri·ses (-sz) 1a. A crucial or decisive point or situation; a turning point. b. An unstable condition, as in political, social, or economic affairs, involving an impending abrupt or decisive change. 2. A sudden change in the course of a disease or fever, toward either improvement or deterioration. 3. An emotionally stressful event or traumatic change in a person's life. 4. A point in a story or drama when a conflict reaches its highest tension and must be resolved.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Latin, judgment, from Greek krisis, from krnein, to separate, judge. See krei- in Appendix I.
SYNONYMS:
crisis, crossroad, exigency, head, juncture, pass These nouns denote a critical point or state of affairs: a military crisis; government policy at the crossroad; had predicted the health-care exigency; a problem that is coming to a head; negotiations that had reached a crucial juncture; things rapidly coming to a desperate pass.
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