Main Entry: crit·i·cism

Pronunciation: \ˈkri-tə-ˌsi-zəm\

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