crisis English · revision 4237

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1425|origins=grc κρίσις}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈkraɪ.sɪs/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|crisis]],^(MW Collegiate)^(AHD 2000) [[bor|la|crisis]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) the Latinized form of [[grc|κρίσις|tr=krísis|t=a separating, decision, judgement; turning point of a disease]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) as used by Hippocrates and Galen,^(Etymonline) from [[m|grc|κρίνειν|tr=krínein|t=to separate, decide, judge]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[ine-pro|*krey-|alt=*krei-|t=to sieve; to discriminate]].^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) The first translation of Chauliac's surgery has the Old French form crise, the second the Latin crisis, which became established.^(Barnhart 1988) It is related to [[critic]], [[critical]], [[criterion]] and [[certain]].^(Cresswell 2021)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The turning point in a disease, the change that leads to recovery or death: probably about 1425, in a translation of Chauliac's Grande Chirurgie,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Cresswell 2021) the early 15th century in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) and 1543 in the OED.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In astrology a conjunction of planets that determines the outcome of a disease was a crisis from 1603.^(OED 1989) The figurative sense, “a decisive point or stage in anything”, is first recorded in 1627,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) the 1620s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) Judgement, decision, from 1621, and a criterion or sign, from 1606, are obsolete.^(OED 1989) The plural is crises.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1425 – the turning point of a disease.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1603 – in astrology.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1621 – judgement.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1627 – a decisive stage.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A crucial or decisive point or situation; a [[turning point]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # An unstable or dangerous situation, as in politics or the economy, with an abrupt change pending: ''a financial crisis''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A sudden change in the course of a disease, towards recovery or death.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # An emotionally stressful event or traumatic change in a person's life.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[crisic]]

+ * [[epicrisis]]

+ * [[postcrisis]]

+ * [[crisis management]]

+ * [[identity crisis]]

+ * [[midlife crisis]]

+ * [[crisis center]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[critic]]

+ * [[critical]]

+ * [[criticize]]

+ * [[critique]]

+ * [[criterion]]

+ * [[certain]]

+ * [[crises]]

+ * [[hypocrisy]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage groups crisis with crossroad, exigency, head, juncture and pass as words for a critical point or state of affairs.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}