A person skilled in judging of the merit of literary works; one who is able to discern and distinguish the beauties and faults of writing. In a more general sense, a person skilled in judging with propriety of any combination of objects, or of any work of art; and particularly of what are denominated the Fine Arts. A critic is one who, from experience, knowledge, habit or taste, can perceive the difference between propriety and impropriety, in objects or works presented to his view; between the natural and unnatural; the high and the low, or lofty and mean; the congruous and incongruous; the correct and incorrect, according to the established rules of the art.

An examiner; a judge. And make each day a critic on the last.

One who judges with severity; one who censures or finds fault.

Critical; relating to criticism, or the art of judging of the merit of a literary performance or discourse, or of any work in the fine arts.

To criticise; to play the critic.

A critical examination of the merits of a performance; remarks or animadversions on beauties and faults. Addison wrote a critique on PARADISE LOST.

Science of criticism; standard or rules of judging of the merit of performances. If ideas and words were distinctly weighed, and duly considered, they would afford us another sort of logic and critic.