Part 2593

<p><b>6.</b> <ety>[See <er>Crisis</er>.]</ety> <def>Pertaining to, or indicating, a crisis, turning point, or specially important juncture; important as regards consequences; hence, of doubtful issue; attended with risk; dangerous; <as>as, the <ex>critical</ex> stage of a fever; a <ex>critical</ex> situation.</as></def>

<blockquote>Our circumstances are indeed <b>critical</b>. <i>Burke.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>The small moment, the exact point, the <b>critical</b> minute, on which every good work so much depends. <i>South.</i></blockquote>

<cs><col>Critical angle</col> <fld>(Optics)</fld>, <cd>that angle of incidence of a luminous ray at which it is wholly reflected, and no portion of it transmitted. The sine of this angle is the reciprocal of the refractive index of the medium.</cd> -- <col>Critical philosophy</col>, <cd>the metaphysical system of Kant; -- so called from his most important work, the "Critique of Pure Reason.</cd>" -- <col>Critical point</col> <fld>(Physics)</fld>, <cd>a certain temperature, different for different gases, but always the same for each gas, regarded as the limit above which no amount of pressure can produce condensation to a liquid.</cd></cs>

<h1>Critically</h1> <Xpage=346>

<hw>Crit"ic*al*ly</hw>, <tt>adv.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>In a critical manner; with nice discernment; accurately; exactly.</def>

<blockquote><b>Critically</b> to discern good writers from bad. <i>Dryden.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>At a crisis; at a critical time; in a situation. place, or condition of decisive consequence; <as>as, a fortification <ex>critically</ex> situated</as>.</def>

<blockquote>Coming <b>critically</b> the night before the session. <i>Bp. Burnet.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Criticalness</h1> <Xpage=346>

<hw>Crit"ic*al*ness</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>The state or quality of being critical, or of occurring at a critical time.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Accuracy in examination or decision; exactness.</def>

<h1>Critticaster</h1> <Xpage=346>

<hw>Critt"ic*as`ter</hw> <tt>(kr?t"?k-?s`t?r)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>A contemptible or vicious critic.</def>

<blockquote>The rancorous and reptile crew of poeticules, who decompose into <b>criticasters</b>. <i>Swinburne.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Criticisable</h1> <Xpage=346>

<hw>Crit"i*cis`a*ble</hw> <tt>(kr?t"?-s?z`?-b'l)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Capable of being criticised.</def>

<h1>Criticise</h1> <Xpage=346>

<hw>Crit"i*cise</hw> <tt>(kr?t"?-s?z)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Criticised</er> <tt>(-s?zd)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Criticising</er>.]</wordforms> <ety>[Written also, more analogically, but less commonly, <ets>criticize</ets>.]</ety> <ety>[Cf. G. <ets>kritisiren</ets>. See <er>Critic</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To examine and judge as a critic; to pass literary or artistic judgment upon; <as>as, to <ex>criticise</ex> an author; to <ex>criticise</ex> a picture.</as></def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To express one's views as to the merit or demerit of; esp., to animadvert upon; to find fault with; <as>as, to <ex>criticise</ex> conduct</as>.</def>

<i>Blackwood's Mag.</i>

<h1>Criticise</h1> <Xpage=346>

<hw>Crit"i*cise</hw>, <tt>v. i.</tt> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To act as a critic; to pass literary or artistic judgment; to play the critic; -- formerly used with <i>on</i> or <i>upon</i>.</def>

<blockquote>Several of these ladies, indeed, <b>criticised</b> upon the form of the association. <i>Addison.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To discuss the merits or demerits of a thing or person; esp., to find fault.</def>

<blockquote>Cavil you may, but never <b>criticise</b>. <i> Pope.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Criticiser</h1> <Xpage=346>

<hw>Crit"i*ci`ser</hw> <tt>(-s?`z?r)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <def>One who criticises; a critic.</def>