\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.