\Crit"i*cism\ (kr?t"?-s?z'm), n.
1. The rules and principles which regulate the practice of
   the critic; the art of judging with knowledge and
   propriety of the beauties and faults of a literary
   performance, or of a production in the fine arts; as,
   dramatic criticism.
         The elements ofcriticism depend on the two
         principles of Beauty and Truth, one of which is the
         final end or object of study in every one of its
         pursuits: Beauty, in letters and the arts; Truth, in
         history and sciences.                 --Brande & C.
         By criticism, as it was first instituted by
         Aristotle, was meant a standard of judging well.
                                               --Dryden.
2. The act of criticising; a critical judgment passed or
   expressed; a critical observation or detailed examination
   and review; a critique; animadversion; censure.
         About the plan of ``Rasselas'' little was said by
         the critics; and yet the faults of the plan might
         seem to invite severe criticism.      --Macaulay.