criticism
    n 1: disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or
         shortcomings; "the senator received severe criticism from
         his opponent" [syn: criticism, unfavorable judgment]
    2: a serious examination and judgment of something;
       "constructive criticism is always appreciated" [syn:
       criticism, critique]
    3: a written evaluation of a work of literature [syn:
       criticism, literary criticism]

Criticism \Crit"i*cism\ (kr?t"?-s?z'm), n.
   1. The rules and principles which regulate the practice of
      the critic; the art of judging with knowledge and
      propriety of the beauties and faults of a literary
      performance, or of a production in the fine arts; as,
      dramatic criticism.
      [1913 Webster]

            The elements ofcriticism depend on the two
            principles of Beauty and Truth, one of which is the
            final end or object of study in every one of its
            pursuits: Beauty, in letters and the arts; Truth, in
            history and sciences.                 --Brande & C.
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            By criticism, as it was first instituted by
            Aristotle, was meant a standard of judging well.
                                                  --Dryden.
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   2. The act of criticising; a critical judgment passed or
      expressed; a critical observation or detailed examination
      and review; a critique; animadversion; censure.
      [1913 Webster]

            About the plan of "Rasselas" little was said by the
            critics; and yet the faults of the plan might seem
            to invite severe criticism.           --Macaulay.
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CRITICISM.  The art of judging skillfully of the merits or beauties, defects 
or faults of a literary or scientific performance, or of a production of 
art; when the criticism is reduced to writing, the writing itself is called 
a criticism. 
     2. Liberty of criticism must be allowed, or there would be neither 
purity of taste nor of morals. Fair discussion, is essentially necessary to, 
the truth of history and advancement of science. That publication therefore, 
is not a libel, which has for its object, not to injure the reputation of an 
individual, but to correct misrepresentations of facts, to refute 
sophistical reasoning, to expose a vicious taste for literature, or to 
censure what is hostile to morality. Campb. R. 351-2.  As every man who 
publishes a book commits himself to the judgment of the public, any one may 
comment on his performance.  If the commentator does not step aside from the 
work, or introduce fiction for the purpose of condemnation, he exercises a 
fair and legitimate right. And the critic does a good service to the public 
who writes down any vapid or useless publication such as ought never to have 
appeared; and, although the author may suffer a loss from it, the law does 
not consider such loss an injury; because it is a loss which the party ought 
to sustain. It is the loss of fame and profit, to which he was never 
entitled. 1 Campb. R. 358, n. See 1 Esp. N. P. Cas. 28; 2 Stark. Cas. 73; 4 
Bing. N. S. 92; S. C. 3 Scott, 340;. 1 M. & M. 44; 1 M. & M. 187; Cooke on 
Def. 52.