n.; pl. Criteria (-&unr_;), sometimes Criterions [ Gr. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_; a means for judging, fr. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_; decider, judge, fr. &unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_;&unr_; to separate. See Certain. ] A standard of judging; any approved or established rule or test, by which facts, principles opinions, and conduct are tried in forming a correct judgment respecting them. [ 1913 Webster ]

Of the diseases of the mind there is no criterion. Donne. [ 1913 Webster ]

Inferences founded on such enduring criteria. Sir G. C. Lewis.

Syn. -- Standard; measure; rule. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. Serving as a basis for evaluation. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ Gr. kriqh` a barleycorn, a small weight. ] (Chem.) The unit for estimating the weight of aëriform substances; -- the weight of a liter of hydrogen at 0° centigrade, and with a tension of 76 centimeters of mercury. It is 0.0896 of a gram, or 1.38274 grains. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Gr. kriqai`, pl., barley + -mancy: cf. F. crithomancie. ] A kind of divination by means of the dough of the cakes offered in the ancient sacrifices, and the meal strewed over the victims. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to critics or criticism; critical. [ Obs. ] “Critic learning.” Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 ]

2. One who passes a rigorous or captious judgment; one who censures or finds fault; a harsh examiner or judge; a caviler; a carper. [ 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 ]

3. The art of criticism. [ Obs. ] Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. An act of criticism; a critique. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

And make each day a critic on the last. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ Cf. F. critiquer. ] To criticise; to play the critic. [ Obs. ]
Syn. -- critique. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nay, if you begin to critic once, we shall never have done. A. Brewer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ See Critic, n., Crisis. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Qualified to criticise, or pass judgment upon, literary or artistic productions. [ 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 ]

2. Pertaining to criticism or the critic's art; of the nature of a criticism; accurate; as, critical knowledge; a critical dissertation. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Inclined to make nice distinctions, or to exercise careful judgment and selection; exact; nicely judicious. [ 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 ]

4. Inclined to criticise or find fault; fastidious; captious; censorious; exacting. [ 1913 Webster ]

O gentle lady, do not put me to 't,
For I am nothing, if not critical. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Characterized by thoroughness and a reference to principles, as becomes a critic; as, a critical analysis of a subject. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. [ See Crisis. ] 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, the critical stage of a fever; a critical situation. [ 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), 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. --
Critical philosophy, the metaphysical system of Kant; -- so called from his most important work, the “Critique of Pure Reason.” [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. 1. In a critical manner; with nice discernment; accurately; exactly. [ 1913 Webster ]

Critically to discern good writers from bad. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. At a crisis; at a critical time; in a situation, place, or condition of decisive consequence; as, a fortification critically situated. [ 1913 Webster ]

Coming critically the night before the session. Bp. Burnet. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The state or quality of being critical, or of occurring at a critical time. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Accuracy in examination or decision; exactness. [ 1913 Webster ]