臨りん界かい状じょう態たい

noun

critical state

Technical term in physics and engineering for the condition of a substance at its critical point, where distinct liquid and gas phases do not exist. Also used metaphorically for a situation at a decisive turning point.

• 水みずは臨りん界かい状じょう態たいでは液えき体たいと気き体たいの区く別べつがなくなる。

  In the critical state, water loses the distinction between liquid and gas.

• 交こう渉しょうは臨りん界かい状じょう態たいに達たっしている。

  The negotiations have reached a critical state.