Critically

adv. [f. CRITICAL + -LY².] In a critical manner.

  1.  With critical judgment or observation; nicely, accurately, precisely.

1654.  R. Whitlock, Ζωοτομια, 504. Though not Critically translated.

a. 1660.  Hammond, Wks., IV. 498 (R.). Would we but look critically into ourselves.

1719.  De Foe, Crusoe (1840), I. xv. 265. I inquired of him more critically, what was become of them?

1870.  Miss Bridgman, R. Lynne, I. xvii. 285. Miss Gladwin eyed her critically.

1883.  A. Roberts, O. T. Revision, viii. 168. A critically revised text of the Septuagint translation.

  † 2.  With exactness in regard to time, place, etc.; exactly, precisely, punctually. Obs.

1655.  Fuller, Ch. Hist., I. i. § 15. Others more warily affirm, that it doth not punctually and critically bud on Christmas day.

1722.  De Foe, Col. Jack (1840), 272. An account, which … was critically just.

1802.  Paley, Nat. Theol., iii. § 2. The point of concourse … must fall critically upon the retina, or the vision is confused.

1853.  Kane, Grinnell Exp., xl. (1856), 363. This hole was critically circular.

  b.  So as to determine or decide; decisively. rare.

1857.  Keble, Euchar. Adorat., 36. This … is no exception, but critically confirms our allegation.

  † 3.  At or in relation to the crisis of a disease.

1655.  Culpepper, etc. Riverius, I. xiv. 50. If the humors be cast down thither critically by Nature.

c. 1670.  Sir T. Browne, Lett. to Friend, xi. That … distemper of little children … wherein they critically break out with harsh Hairs on their backs, which takes off the unquiet symptoms.

  † 4.  At a critical moment; in the nick of time.

1693.  Congreve, Double-Dealer, I. i. Here’s the coxcomb most critically come to interrupt you.

1755.  Mem. Capt. P. Drake, I. iv. 33. The Hatches were opened, and indeed very critically, for a Minute’s Confinement longer would have terminated in our Destruction.

1799.  T. Jefferson, Writ. (1859), IV. 263. Could these debates be ready to appear critically, their effect would be decisive.

  5.  In a critical situation or condition; perilously, dangerously.

1815.  W. H. Ireland, Scribbleomania, 192, note. Thus critically circumstanced.

1856.  Kane, Arct. Expl., I. xxv. 329. The toppling ice … critically suspended, met above our heads.

1889.  Pall Mall Gaz., 30 April, 6/3. The Swazi King is critically ill.

  6.  Physics. In a critical state: see CRITICAL. 7.

1881.  T. M. Williams, in Knowledge, No. 8. 157. Elementary substances may exist as solids, liquids, or gases, or critically, according to the conditions of temperature and pressure.