crisis

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a crucial stage or turning point in the course of something

   after the crisis the patient either dies or gets better

2. 2
   noun

   an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty

   they went bankrupt during the economic crisis

3. 3
   noun

   An unstable situation, in political, social, economic or military affairs, especially one involving an impending abrupt change.

   The financial crisis could have been avoided and was the result of poor decision making both in Washington and at top financial firms that fostered a culture of excessive risk taking, according to a draft report written by Democrats on a panel that investigated the meltdown and obtained by Reuters.

4. 4
   noun

   A traumatic or stressful change in a person's life.

   I'm having a major crisis trying to wallpaper the living room.

5. 5
   noun

   A crucial or decisive point or situation; a turning point.

6. 6
   noun

   A sudden change in the course of a disease, usually at which point the patient is expected to either recover or die.

7. 7
   noun

   A point in a drama at which a conflict reaches a peak before being resolved.

Etymology

From Latin crisis, from Ancient Greek κρίσις (krísis, “a separating, power of distinguishing, decision, choice, election, judgment, dispute”), from κρίνω (krínō, “pick out, choose, decide, judge”).