CRISIS

Cri″sis (kr?″s?s), n.; pl. Crises (–s�z). [[L. crisis, Gr. ����, fr. ���� to separate. See Certain.]] 1. 1. The point of time when it is to be decided whether any affair or course of action must go on, or be modified or terminate; the decisive moment; the turning point.
This hour's the very crisis of your fate. Dryden. The very times of crisis for the fate of the country. Brougham. 2. 2. (Med.) That change in a disease which indicates whether the result is to be recovery or death; sometimes, also, a striking change of symptoms attended by an outward manifestation, as by an eruption or sweat.
Till some safe crisis authorize their skill. Dryden.