n. [ L. criticus, Gr.
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
You know who the critics are? the men who have failed in literature and art. Beaconsfield. [ 1913 Webster ]
And make each day a critic on the last. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Of or pertaining to critics or criticism; critical. [ Obs. ] “Critic learning.” Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ See Critic, n., Crisis. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
It is submitted to the judgment of more critical ears to direct and determine what is graceful and what is not. Holder. [ 1913 Webster ]
Virgil was so critical in the rites of religion, that he would never have brought in such prayers as these, if they had not been agreeable to the Roman customs. Bp. Stillingfleet. [ 1913 Webster ]
O gentle lady, do not put me to 't,
For I am nothing, if not critical. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Our circumstances are indeed critical. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]
The small moment, the exact point, the critical minute, on which every good work so much depends. South. [ 1913 Webster ]
Critical angle (Optics),
Critical philosophy,
adv.
Critically to discern good writers from bad. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]
Coming critically the night before the session. Bp. Burnet. [ 1913 Webster ]
n.
(Physics), That combination of volume and pressure, at the critical temperature of the substance, at which the liquid and gaseous phases of a given quantity of a substance have identical values for their densities and other properties. [ PJC ]
(Physics), A certain temperature, different for different gases, but always the same for each gas, regarded as the temperature above which no amount of pressure can produce condensation to a liquid; the temperature above which a gas cannot be liquified. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. A contemptible or vicious critic. [ 1913 Webster ]
The rancorous and reptile crew of poeticules, who decompose into criticasters. Swinburne. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Capable of being criticised. [ 1913 Webster ]