crucial
cru-cial / kro͞o-shəl
adjective 1. extremely important One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one man cannot make a team. Kareem Abdul Jabbar, 1947 - 2. vital; essential to the determination of a crisis Self-discipline is crucial to a simpler, more contented life. Dalai Lama, 1935 - etymology A French adjective from the Latin noun crux, crucis (cross, torture, misery) and Latin adjectival suffix -alis (belonging to, characteristic of). Thank you to Allen Ward for providing this etymology.