"If he was asked to continue, the next six weeks is a critical period and might cause his death," the judge said.

The critical period is the first and sometimes second year of life.

His tenure would include a critical period in its history.

By the middle of the third century, however, a much more critical period had opened.

The call to arms was given at a very critical period.

The first three to five years are believed by some to be a critical period.

Fundamental changes can and do take place after the critical early period.

The learning is possible only within a limited age range known as a critical period.

During the really critical period he had been in Roger's own company.

"The next 30 to 40 days is probably the critical period," he said.