All 3 Uses of
critical
in
The Memory Keeper’s Daughter
- "Don't you think—" she began, but before she could criticize David again, Norah interrupted.†
p. 43.1 *criticize = give an opinion of what is wrong with somethingstandard suffix: The suffix "-ize" converts a word to a verb. This is the same pattern you see in words like apologize, theorize, and dramatize.
- It's hard not to see this as criticism.†
p. 156.1
- "It would only be criticism if it were about you," she said.†
p. 156.1
Definitions:
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(1)
(critical as in: a critical problem) important, serious, or dangerous
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(2)
(critical as in: don't be so critical) finding fault and telling others; or tending to have unfavorable opinions
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(3)
(critical as in: critical acclaim) relating to careful analysis or thoughtful judgement of what is good and bad about something -- possibly from people whose job is to share their expert opinions in a given industry
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(4)
(meaning too rare to warrant focus) meaning too rare to warrant focus:
See a comprehensive dictionary for more specialized senses of critical including those in mathematics and nuclear energy.