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crisis

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The definition of a crisis is a turning point or a difficult or dark time when disasters are happening or when tough decisions must be made.

(noun)

An example of a crisis is when the actions to combat a disease start to lessen the impact of the disease.
An example of a crisis is when your house is flooding due to the rains from a hurricane.

See crisis in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. crises

1. the turning point of a disease for better or worse, esp. a sudden recovery
2. an intensely painful attack of a disease; paroxysm
a turning point in the course of anything; decisive or crucial time, stage, or event
a time of great danger or trouble, often one which threatens to result in unpleasant consequences: an economic crisis

Origin: L < Gr krisis < krinein, to separate, discern < IE *(s)krei-, to sift, separate < base *(s)ker-, to cut > shear, L cernere, to separate, Ger rein, pure

See crisis in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. cri·ses (-sēz)

a. 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.
A sudden change in the course of a disease or fever, toward either improvement or deterioration.
An emotionally stressful event or traumatic change in a person's life.
A point in a story or drama when a conflict reaches its highest tension and must be resolved.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Latin, judgment

Origin: , from Greek krisis

Origin: , from krīnein, to separate, judge; see krei- in Indo-European roots

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