precritical

[ pree-krit-i-kuhl ]

adjective

, Medicine/Medical.

1. anteceding a crisis.

precritical

/ priːˈkrɪtɪkəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or occurring during the period preceding a crisis or a critical state or condition

   a precritical phase of a disease

Word History and Origins

Origin of precritical¹

First recorded in 1880–85; pre- + critical