Crit"ic (krĭt"ĭk), n.
[L. criticus, Gr. kritiko`s, a critic; prop.,
an adj. meaning able to discuss, from kri`nein
to judge, discern. See Certain, and cf. Critique.]
1. One skilled in judging of the merits of
literary or artistic works; a connoisseur; an adept; hence, one
who examines literary or artistic works, etc., and passes
judgment upon them; a reviewer.
The opininon of the most skillful critics
was, that nothing finer [than Goldsmith's "Traveler"] had
appeared in verse since the fourth book of the "Dunciad."
Macaulay.
2. One who passes a rigorous or captious
judgment; one who censures or finds fault; a harsh examiner or
judge; a caviler; a carper.
When an author has many beauties consistent with
virtue, piety, and truth, let not little critics exalt
themselves, and shower down their ill nature.
I. Watts.
You know who the critics are? the men who
have failed in literature and art.
Beaconsfield.
3. The art of criticism. [Obs.]
Locke.
4. An act of criticism; a critique.
[Obs.]
And make each day a critic on the last.
Pope.
Crit"ic, a. Of or pertaining
to critics or criticism; critical. [Obs.] "Critic
learning." Pope.
Crit"ic, v. i. [Cf. F.
critiquer.] To criticise; to play the critic.
[Obs.]
Nay, if you begin to critic once, we shall
never have done.
A. Brewer.