n.1 a finding fault; censure. b a statement or remark expressing this.
2 a the work of a critic. b an article, essay, etc., expressing or containing an analytical evaluation of something.
Phrases and idioms:
the higher criticism criticism dealing with the origin and character etc. of texts, esp. of Biblical writings. the lower criticism textual criticism of the Bible.
Etymology: CRITIC or L criticus + -ISM