Krises

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Multiple traditional Southeast Asian daggers with distinct wavy blades ; a series of turning points or critical moments in difficult situations ; several instances when a decisive change is required
2. A collection of intricately carved ceremonial blades from Indonesian culture ; numerous pivotal events marked by danger or uncertainty ; various occasions demanding urgent resolution
3. Several curved-bladed knives considered spiritual objects in Malay and Javanese tradition ; frequent occurrences of severe turmoil or instability ; repeated episodes where immediate action is necessary

Etymology: "Krises" is the plural of "kris," a wavy-bladed dagger from the Malay world. The English word was borrowed from Malay "keris," and it entered English around 1580. Its shape is the most distinctive feature of the weapon: the blade snakes back and forth rather than running straight, and that undulation is what gives the word its place in English. The Malay "keris" is a doublet of "kalis," a related word in the same language family, so the two forms are sister words that came down through separate paths. English took the Malay form, which is why the spelling and pronunciation feel foreign to most speakers. The plural follows the English pattern of adding "-es" after the "s" sound, so "krises" is the form most readers will meet in print.

Synonyms: crises