school-critical
|school-crit-i-cal|
/skuːl ˈkrɪtɪkəl/
critical about or vital to school
Etymology
'school-critical' originates from Modern English, specifically the combination of 'school' and 'critical', where 'school' meant 'a place of learning' and 'critical' meant 'inclined to judge'.
'school' changed from Old English 'scol(e)' (from Latin 'schola' and Greek 'scholē') and 'critical' derived from Greek 'kritikos' via Latin 'criticus' and Old French 'critique'; these elements combined in Modern English to form the compound 'school-critical'.
Initially it meant a straightforward combination of 'school' + 'critical' (i.e., 'critical of schools'), but usage has broadened to also include 'critical to a school's functioning' (vital/essential).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
expressing criticism of schools or the education system; being critical toward schools.
Her school-critical essay questioned standard teaching methods.
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Adjective 2
essential or vital to the functioning of a school (used like 'mission-critical' but specifically for schools).
Upgrading the district's internet is school-critical to ensuring remote learning.
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Last updated: 2025/11/21 01:13