Critical
/ˈkrɪt.ɪ.kəl/noun
Involving the act of judging, or expressing careful judgment and analysis.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Greek *krinein*, “to separate, decide, judge,” the same root behind the hidden idea that to judge is to *distinguish* one thing from another.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*krei-
“to sieve, separate, distinguish”
Ancient Greek
Greek
krínein
“to separate, decide, judge”
Ancient Greek
Greek
kritikós
“able to discern or judge”
Late Latin
Latin
criticus
“able to judge, discerning; a critic”
14th Century
Middle English
critik/critique
“a judge or one who evaluates”
Modern English
English
critical
“involving or expressing careful judgment or analysis”