Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun The smallest mass of a fissionable material that will sustain a nuclear chain reaction at a constant level.
- noun The total mass of matter needed to generate sufficient gravitational force to halt the current expansion of the universe.
- noun An amount or level needed for a specific result or new action to occur.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun physics the amount of
fissile material that is needed tosupport aself-sustaining nuclear chain reaction - noun A quantity or amount required to trigger a
phenomenon .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun the minimum mass of fissionable material that can sustain a chain reaction
- noun the minimum amount (of something) required to start or maintain a venture
Etymologies
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Examples
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asativum commented on the word critical mass
I think Wordie may have reached some sort of critical mass on Friday, June 20, 2008. Now I really can't keep up with the comments!
June 21, 2008
mollusque commented on the word critical mass
Wow, 5 people with 170 or more comments in one week! If this is what happens when I go to Belgium for a few days, what's going to happen when I go the Philippines next month?
June 23, 2008
bilby commented on the word critical mass
Wordzilla in Manila?
June 23, 2008
mollusque commented on the word critical mass
Much ado in Cebu,
And in Manila too.
June 23, 2008
Prolagus commented on the word critical mass
I know, it's just that some of us were really in the best wordie mood ever. I beg your pardon.
June 23, 2008
Prolagus commented on the word critical mass
From Peru to Cebu hear the power of Babylon.
From Bali to Cali, far beneath the Coral Sea.
June 23, 2008
bilby commented on the word critical mass
From Pro to yarb hear the power of Babylon.
From Bilby to jmp, we all do babble on.
June 23, 2008
johnmperry commented on the word critical mass
the minimum amount needed to sustain a process
June 23, 2008
johnmperry commented on the word critical mass
Critical mass
is clearly unable
to save As
ativum
from the Tower of Babel
June 23, 2008
Prolagus commented on the word critical mass
How boring was life before Babel!
Now sit down, and en-join the rabble.
June 23, 2008