Definition of higher criticism
: study of biblical writings to determine their literary history and the purpose and meaning of the authors — compare lower criticism
Learn More About higher criticism
Statistics for higher criticism
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Higher criticism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/higher%20criticism. Accessed 26 Jan. 2022.
Style: MLA
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Test Your Vocabulary
Difficult Spelling Words Quiz
-
- Which is the correct spelling?
Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
-
“In Vino Veritas” and Other Latin Phrases to Live By
Top 10 Latin Phrases
-
Is It 'Home In' or 'Hone In'?
Both are used, but home in does a better job of...
-
Merriam-Webster's Words of the Week - Jan. 21
From the week ending 1/21/2022
-
On Synecdoche and Metonymy
When you are left to your own rhetorical devices.
Ask the Editors
Share higher criticism
Time Traveler for higher criticism
The first known use of higher criticism was in 1822
See more words from the same year