critical rays

A kind of force similar to the Roentgen rays (q. v.). crit-ic-al-ly, adv . [Eng. critical ; -ly.] 1. In a critical manner; according to the rules of criticism; exactly, nicely, accurately, closely. "Difficult it is to understand the purity of English, and critically to discern good writers from bad, -Dryden. *2. At the exact point of time. "Coming critically the night before the se ion."Burnet: Hist. *3. In a critical position, place, or condition. crit-ic-al-ne , s. [Eng. critical; -ne .] 1. The quality of being critical; exactne , accuracy, or closene of examination or treatment; nicety. 2. Incidence at a particular point of time. crit-Ic-as-ter, s . [Formed from critic , on the analogy of poetaster (q. v.).] A petty critic. "The rancorous and reptile crew of poeticules, who de compose into criticasters."-Swinburne: Under the Micro scope , p. 36. (Davies.) crit-I-çişe, crit-i-çize, v. t. & i. [Eng. critic; -ize.] A. Transitive : 1. To examine into or judge critically, closely, or carefully. 2. To animadvert upon as faulty; to find fault with. "An eye accustomed to the pomp of war would have found much to criticise in the spectacle."-Macaulay: Hist. Eng., ch. ix. boil, boy; pout, jowl; cat, çell, chorus, 1191 3. To examine critically the merits of any work of literature or art; to pa judgment upon. "Nor shall I look upon it as any breach of charity, to criticise the author, so long as I keep clear of the person." -Add is on: Spectator , No. 262. B. Intransitive: 1. To examine into anything critically; to pa judgment upon any work of literature or art as a critic; to point out the merits and demerits of any person or thing. "They who can criticise so weakly, as to imagine I have done my worst,."-Dryden. 2. To animadvert upon or find fault with anything. (Followed by the prep. on .) "Nor would I have his father look so narrowly into these accounts as to take occasion from thence to criticise on his expenses."-Locke. crit-I-çişed, crit-I-çized, pa.par.ora. [CRIT ICISE.]