Crithomancy

[Fr. crithomancie, from Gr. krithe, barley, and manteia, prophecy.] Divination by cakes, practised by the ancients. Critias, one of the "Thirty Tyrants" of Athens. He was a pupil of So crates, but his political conduct was such as to render him by no means a credit to his great master. He is said to have distinguished himself even among the Thirty for cruelty and avarice. When Thrasybulus and his patriotic friends took up arms against the Thirty, Critias was slain in an attack made on the Piræus, in the year 404 B. С. Critic, ( kritik ,) n. [Gr. kritikos , from krinō , to discern, to judge.] One skilled in judging of the merits of literary works; a judge of merit or excellence in the fine arts generally; a connoi eur; a judge; a careful observer; as, a competent critic. "Believe a woman, or an epitaph, Or any other thing that 's false, before You trust in critics." -Byron. -A severe examiner or judge; a censorious reviewer; & carper; a caviller. "And stand a critic , hated yet care 'd."-Byron. -A critique; a criticism. See CRITIQUE. Critic, Critical, a . [Lat, critic us ; Gr. kritikos . See CRITIC.] Relating to, or containing, criticism; capable of critical mind. judging; able to discern, distinguish, and decide; as, a -Nicely exact; judiciously appreciative; discriminating. "Virgil was critical in the rites of religion."- Stilling fleet . -Inclined to find fault; captious; censorious; cavilling; fastidious. "For I am nothing, if not critical ."-Shaks. -Relating or pertaining to criticism; partaking of the spirit of critical inquiry and observation; as, a critical notice of a work. -Relating to a crisis; decisive; momentous; fraught with weighty consequences; as, a critical moment, critical circumstances, critical point of any busine or sickne . -Po e ing just and true principles of criticism; as, a critical analysis. Critical Philosophy. The metaphysical system of Kant is sometimes so termed, from his famous work, the Kritik der Reinen Vernunft (Critic of Pure Reason). Critically, adv . In a critical manner; exactly; accurately. "Critically to discern good writers from bad."-Dryden. -At a crisis; at the momentous point of time. Criticalne , n. State or quality of being critical; exactne ; nicety. -Incidence to a particular period of time. Criticisable, a . Susceptible of criticism. Criticise, Criticize, v. a. To examine carefully with reference to beauties, and blemishes or faults in; to make remarks on the merits of a performance; to pa judgment on with respect to merit or blame. "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 . v. n. To judge with attention to beauties and faults; to make observations on the merits and demerits of a literary or dramatic performance, or a work of science or art; to play the critic; to animadvert; to utter censure. "But, spite of all the criticising elves, Those who would make us feel-must feel themselves." Church ill.