Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Critic?

\Crit"ic\ (kr?t"?k), n. [L. criticus, Gr. ????, a critic; prop., an adj. meaning able to discuss, from ???? 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.