1. In opposite directions; in a way to cross something else; crossing one another at various angles and in
various ways.
Logs and tree luing crisscross in utter confusion.
W. E. Boardman.
2. With opposition or hindrance; at cross purposes; contrarily; as, things go crisscross.
Crisscross-row
(Criss"cross-row`) n. See Christcross-row.
Crissum
(||Cris"sum) , n.; pl. Crissa [NL.; cf. L. crisso to move the haunches.] (Zoöl.) That part of a
bird, or the feathers, surrounding the cloacal opening; the under tail coverts.
Cristate
(Cris"tate) a. [L. ctistatus, fr. crista crest.] (Bot. & Zoöl.) Crested.
Criterion
(Cri*te"ri*on) n.; pl. Criteria sometimes Criterions [Gr. a means for judging, fr. decider,
judge, fr. to separate. See Certain.] A standard of judging; any approved or established rule or test,
by which facts, principles opinions, and conduct are tried in forming a correct judgment respecting them.
Of the diseases of the mind there is no criterion.
Donne.
Inferences founded on such enduring criteria.
Sir G. C. Lewis.
Syn. — Standard; measure; rule.
Crith
(Crith) n. [Gr. kriqh` a barleycorn, a small weight.] (Chem.) The unit for estimating the weight of
aëriform substances; — the weight of a liter of hydrogen at 0° centigrade, and with a tension of 76 centimeters
of mercury. It is 0.0896 of a gram, or 1.38274 grains.
Crithomancy
(Crith"o*man`cy) n. [Gr. kriqai`, pl., barley + -mancy: cf. F. crithomancie.] A kind of
divination by means of the dough of the cakes offered in the ancient sacrifices, and the meal strewed
over the victims.
Critic
(Crit"ic) n. [L. criticus, Gr. kritiko`s, a critic; prop., an adj. meaning able to discuss, from kri`nein
to judge, discern. See Certain, and cf. Critique.]
1. One skilled in judging of the merits of literary or artistic works; a connoisseur; an adept; hence, one
who examines literary or artistic works, etc., and passes judgment upon them; a reviewer.
The opininon of the most skillful critics was, that nothing finer [than Goldsmith's "Traveler"] had appeared
in verse since the fourth book of the "Dunciad."
Macaulay.
2. One who passes a rigorous or captious judgment; one who censures or finds fault; a harsh examiner
or judge; a caviler; a carper.
When an author has many beauties consistent with virtue, piety, and truth, let not little critics exalt themselves,
and shower down their ill nature.
I. Watts.
You know who the critics are? the men who have failed in literature and art.
Beaconsfield.
3. The art of criticism. [Obs.] Locke.
4. An act of criticism; a critique. [Obs.]
And make each day a critic on the last.
Pope.
Critic
(Crit"ic), a. Of or pertaining to critics or criticism; critical. [Obs.] "Critic learning." Pope.
