Qualified to criticise, or pass
judgment upon, literary or artistic productions.
Pertaining to criticism or the
critic's art; of the nature of a criticism; accurate; as,
critical knowledge; a critical
dissertation.
Inclined to make nice distinctions, or
to exercise careful judgment and selection; exact; nicely
judicious.
Inclined to criticise or find fault;
fastidious; captious; censorious; exacting.
Characterized by thoroughness and a
reference to principles, as becomes a critic; as, a
critical analysis of a subject.
Pertaining to, or
indicating, a crisis, turning point, or specially important
juncture; important as regards consequences; hence, of doubtful
issue; attended with risk; dangerous; as, the critical
stage of a fever; a critical situation.