n.
Pronunciation: ' kri-t ə - ˌ si-z ə m
Function: noun
Date: 1607
1 a : the act of criticizing usually unfavorably <seeking encouragement rather than criticism > b : a critical observation or remark <an unfair criticism > c : CRITIQUE
2 : the art of evaluating or analyzing works of art or literature also : writings expressing such evaluation or analysis <an anthology of literary criticism >
3 : the scientific investigation of literary documents (as the Bible) in regard to such matters as origin, text, composition, or history