From BAILEY:
A CRI’TICK [critique, F. critice, It. and Sp. criticus, L. of χριτιχος, Gr.] one skilled in criticism, a profound scholar, a nice censurer.
From JOHNSON:
CRI’TICK. n. s. [χριτιχος]
1. A man skilled in the art of judging of literature; a man able to distinguish the faults and beauties of writing.
This settles truer ideas in men’s minds of several things, wherof we read the names in ancient authors, than all the large and laborious arguments of criticks. Locke.
Now learn what morals ciriticks ought to show,/ For ’tis but half a judge’s talk to show. Pope.
2. An examiner; a judge.
But you with pleasure own your errours past,/ and make each day a critick on the last. Pope.
3. A snarler; a carper; a caviller.
Criticks I saw, that other names deface,/ And fix their own with labour in their place. Pope.
Where an author has many beauties consistent with virtue, piety, and truth, let not little criticks exalt themselves, and shower down their ill nature. Watts.
4. A censurer; a man apt to find fault.
My chief design, next to seeing you is to be a severe critick on you and your neighbor. Swift.
From WEBSTER:
CRIT’IC, n. [Gr. χριτιχος, from χριτης, a judge or discerner, from the root of χρινω, to judge, to separate, to distinguish. See Crime.]
1. 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 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 the unnatural; the high and the low, or lofty and mean; the congrous and incongruous; the correct and incorrect, according to the established rules of the art.
2. An examiner; a judge.
And make each day a critic on the last. Pope.
3. One who judges with severity; one who censures or finds fault.
Pope. Watts. Swift.
Full Titles:
Dictionarium Britannicum: or a more compleat universal etymological English dictionary than any extant. By Nathan Bailey. Second Edition. London, T. Cox, 1736.
A Dictionary of the English Language: In Which the Words are Deduced from Their Originals, and Illustrated in Their Different Significations by Examples from the Best Writers. To which are prefixed, A History of the Language, and An English Grammar. By Samuel Johnson, LL.D. In Two Volumes.–Vol. I. The Sixth Edition. London: Printed for J. F. and C. Rivinton, L. David, T. Payne and Son, W. Owen, T. Longman, B. Law, J. Dodsley, C. Dilly, W. Lowndes, G. G. J. and J. Robinson, T. Cadell, Jo. Johnson, J. Robson, W. Richardson, J. Nichols, R. Baldwin, W. Goldsmith, J. Murray, W. Stuart, P. Elmsly, W. Fox, S. Hayes, A. Strahan, W. Bent, T. and J. Egerton, and M. Newberry. 1785.
An American Dictionary of the English Language: Intended to Exhibit, I. The origin, affinities and primary signification of English words, as far as they have been ascertained. II. The genuine orthography and pronunciation of words, according to general usage, or to just principles of analogy. III. Accurate and discriminating definitions, with numerous authorities and illustrations, To which are prefixed, An Introductory Dissertation of the Origin, History and Conection of the Languages of Western Asia and of Europe, and a Concise Grammar of the English Language. By Noah Webster, LL. D. In Two Volumes. Vol. I. New York: Published by S. Converse. Printed by Hezekiah Howe-New Haven. 1828.
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