Meaning: Decisive or critical, especially in the success or failure of something.
Pronunciation (sign description): Two-handed "F" hands (handshape) apart in space in front of the signer (location) with the palms down (orientation) move toward each other with the forefinger-thumb rounds in contact (movement).
Related signs: IMPORTANT, CRITICAL, INDISPENSABLE.
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ASL has its own grammar and structure in sentences that works differently from English. For plurals, verb inflections, word order, etc., learn grammar in the "ASL Learn" section. For search in the dictionary, use the present-time verbs and base words. If you look for "said", look up the word "say". Likewise, if you look for an adjective word, try the noun or vice versa. E.g. The ASL signs for French and France are the same. If you look for a plural word, use a singular word.