noun
A formal or technical noun for the boundary at which a state or behavior changes; often used with に達する, を越える, or に近い.
この条件では、システムは安定と不安定の臨界に近い。
Under these conditions, the system is close to the boundary between stable and unstable.
noun
criticality; nuclear criticality
Physics and especially nuclear-engineering use: the state in which a chain reaction is self-sustaining.
原子炉が臨界に達した。
The reactor reached criticality.
noun-modifying (irregular)
critical; at the critical point
Prenominal technical use in compounds such as 臨界点, 臨界温度, 臨界圧力, 臨界状態, and 臨界質量.
水の臨界温度は約374度だ。
The critical temperature of water is about 374 degrees.
この物質の臨界圧力を測定する。
We measure the critical pressure of this substance.