Chapter 365

2. A lady's skirt made of any stiff material; latterly, a hoop skirt.

Crinose <Xpage=345>

Cri*nose" (kr?-n?s") , a. [L. crinis hair.] Hairy. [R.]

Crinosity <Xpage=345>

Cri*nos"i*ty (kr?-n?s"?-t?) , n. Hairiness. [R.]

Crinum <Xpage=345>

Cri"num (kr?"n?m) , n. [NL., fr. Gr. <?/<?/<?/<?/ lily.] (Bot.) A genus of bulbous plants, of the order Amaryllidace<?/ , cultivated as greenhouse plants on account of their beauty.

Criosphinx <Xpage=345>

Cri"o*sphinx` (kr?"?-sf?nks`) , n. [Gr. <?/<?/<?/<?/ ram + <?/<?/<?/<?/ sphinx.] A sphinx with the head of a ram.

Cripple <Xpage=345>

Crip"ple (kr?p"p'l) , n. [OE. cripel , crepel , crupel , AS. crypel (akin to D. kreuple , G. kr<?/ppel , Dan. kr<?/bling , Icel. kryppill ), prop., one that can not walk, but must creep, fr. AS. cre<?/pan to creep. See Creep .] One who creeps, halts, or limps; one who has lost, or never had, the use of a limb or limbs; a lame person; hence, one who is partially disabled.

I am a cripple in my limbs; but what decays are in my mind, the reader must determine. Dryden.

Cripple <Xpage=345>

Crip"ple (kr?p"p'l) , a. Lame; halting. [R.] "The cripple , tardy-gaited night."

Shak.

Cripple <Xpage=345>

Crip"ple , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Crippled (-p'ld) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Crippling (-pl?ng) .] 1. To deprive of the use of a limb, particularly of a leg or foot; to lame.

He had crippled the joints of the noble child. Sir W. Scott.

2. To deprive of strength, activity, or capability for service or use; to disable; to deprive of resources; as, to be financially crippled .

More serious embarrassments . . . were crippling the energy of the settlement in the Bay. Palfrey.

An incumbrance which would permanently cripple the body politic. Macaulay.

Crippled <Xpage=345>

Crip"pled (kr?p"p'ld) , a. Lamed; lame; disabled; impeded. "The crippled crone."

Longfellow.

Crippleness <Xpage=345>

Crip"ple*ness , n. Lameness. [R.]

Johnson.

Crippler <Xpage=345>

Crip"pler (-pl?r) , n. A wooden tool used in graining leather.

Knight.

Crippling <Xpage=345>

Crip"pling (-pl?ng) , n. Spars or timbers set up as a support against the side of a building.

Cripply <Xpage=345>

Crip"ply (-pl?) , a. Lame; disabled; in a crippled condition. [R.]

Mrs. Trollope.

Crisis <Xpage=345>

Cri"sis (kr?"s?s) , n. ; pl. Crises (-s<?/z) . [L. crisis , Gr. <?/<?/<?/<?/, fr. <?/<?/<?/<?/ to separate. See Certain .] 1. The point of time when it is to be decided whether any affair or course of action must go on, or be modified or terminate; the decisive moment; the turning point.

This hour's the very crisis of your fate. Dryden.

The very times of crisis for the fate of the country. Brougham.

2. (Med.) That change in a disease which indicates whether the result is to be recovery or death; sometimes, also, a striking change of symptoms attended by an outward manifestation, as by an eruption or sweat.

Till some safe crisis authorize their skill. Dryden.

Crisp <Xpage=345>

Crisp (kr?sp) , a. [AS. crisp , fr. L. crispus ; cf. carpere to pluck, card (wool), and E. harvest . Cf. Crape .] 1. Curling in stiff curls or ringlets; as, crisp hair .

2. Curled with the ripple of the water. [Poetic]

You numphs called Naiads, of the winding brooks . . . Leave jour crisp channels. Shak.

3. Brittle; friable; in a condition to break with a short, sharp fracture; as, crisp snow .

The cakes at tea ate short and crisp . Goldsmith.

4. Possessing a certain degree of firmness and freshness; in a fresh, unwilted condition.

It [laurel] has been plucked nine months, and yet looks as hale and crisp as if it would last ninety years. Leigh Hunt.

5. Lively; sparking; effervescing.

Your neat crisp claret. Beau & Fl.

6. Brisk; crackling; cheerful; lively.

The snug, small room, and the crisp fire. Dickens.

Crisp <Xpage=345>

Crisp , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Crisped (kr?spt) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Crisping .] [L. crispare , fr. crispus . See Crisp . a. ] 1. To curl; to form into ringlets, as hair, or the nap of cloth; to interweave, as the branches of trees.

2. To cause to undulate irregularly, as crape or water; to wrinkle; to cause to ripple. Cf. Crimp .

The lover with the myrtle sprays Adorns his crisped tresses. Drayton.

Along the crisped shades and bowers. Milton.

The crisped brooks, Rolling on orient pearl and sands of gold. Milton.

3. To make crisp or brittle, as in cooking.

Crisping iron , an instrument by which hair or any textile fabric is crisped. -- Crisping pin , the simplest form of crisping iron. Is. iii. 22.

Crisp <Xpage=345>

Crisp , v. i. To undulate or ripple. Cf. Crisp , v. t.

To watch the crisping ripples on the beach. Tennuson.

Crisp <Xpage=345>

Crisp , n. That which is crisp or brittle; the state of being crisp or brittle; as, burned to a crisp ; specifically, the rind of roasted pork; crackling.

Crispate krspt, Crispated <Xpage=345>

Cris"pate (kr?s"p?t) , Cris"pa*ted (-p?-t?d) , a. [L. crispatus , p. p. of crispare .] Having a crisped appearance; irregularly curled or twisted.

Crispation <Xpage=345>

Cris*pa"tion (kr?s-p?"sh?n) , n. [CF. F. crispation .] 1. The act or process of curling, or the state of being curled.

Bacon.

2. A very slight convulsive or spasmodic contraction of certain muscles, external or internal.

Few men can look down from a great height without creepings and crispations . O. W. Holmes.

Crispature <Xpage=345>

Cris"pa*ture (kr?s"p?-t?r; 135) , n. The state of being crispate.

Crisper <Xpage=345>

Crisp"er (kr?s"p?r) , n. One who, or that which, crisps or curls; an instrument for making little curls in the nap of cloth, as in chinchilla.

Crispin <Xpage=345>

Cris"pin (kr?s"p?n) , n. 1. A shoemaker; -- jocularly so called from the patron sant of the craft.

2. A member of a union or association of shoemakers.

Crisply <Xpage=345>

Crisp"ly (kr?sp"l?) , adv. In a crisp manner.

Crispness <Xpage=345>

Crisp"ness , n. The state or quality of being crisp.

Crispy <Xpage=345>

Crisp"y (-?) , a. 1. Formed into short, close ringlets; frizzed; crisp; as, crispy locks .

2. Crisp; brittle; as. a crispy pie crust.

Crissal <Xpage=345>

Cris"sal (kr?s"s a l) , a. (Zo\'94l.) 1. Pertaining to the crissum; as, crissal feathers .

2. Having highly colored under tail coverts; as, the crissal thrasher .

Crisscross <Xpage=345>

Criss"cross` (kr?s"kr?s`; 115) , n. [A corruption of Christcross .] 1. A mark or cross, as the signature of a person who is unable to write.

2. A child's game played on paper or on a slate, consisting of lines arranged in the form of a cross.

Crisscross <Xpage=345>

Criss"cross` , v. t. To mark or cover with cross lines; as, a paper was crisscrossed with red marks .

<page="346"> Page 346

Crisscross <Xpage=346>

Criss"cross` (kr?s"kr?s`;115) , adv. 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 <Xpage=346>

Criss"cross-row` (-r?`) , n. See Christcross-row .

Crissum <Xpage=346>

Cris"sum (kr?s"s?m) ,, n. ; pl. Crissa (-s<?/) . [NL.; cf. L. crisso to move the haunches.] (Zo\'94l.) That part of a bird, or the feathers, surrounding the cloacal opening; the under tail coverts.

Cristate <Xpage=346>

Cris"tate (kr?s"t?t) , a. [L. ctistatus , fr. crista crest.] (Bot. & Zo\'94l.) Crested.

Criterion <Xpage=346>

Cri*te"ri*on (kr?-t?"r?-?n) , n. ; pl. Criteria (-<?/), sometimes Criterions (-<?/nz) . [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 <Xpage=346>

Crith (kr?th) , n. [Gr. <?/<?/<?/ a barleycorn, a small weight.] (Chem.) The unit for estimating the weight of a<?/riform 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.

Crithomancu <Xpage=346>

Crith"o*man`cu (kr?th"?-m?n`s?) , n. [Gr. <?/<?/<?/<?/. 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 <Xpage=346>

Crit"ic (kr?t"?k) , n. [L. criticus , Gr. <?/<?/<?/<?/, a critic; prop., an adj. meaning able to discuss , from <?/<?/<?/<?/ 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 <Xpage=346>

Crit"ic , a. Of or pertaining to critics or criticism; critical. [Obs.] " Critic learning."

Pope.

Critic <Xpage=346>

Crit"ic , v. i. [Cf. F. critiquer .] To criticise; to play the critic. [Obs.]

Nay, if you begin to critic once, we shall never have done. A. Brewer.

Critical <Xpage=346>

Crit"ic*al (kr?t"?-k a l) , a. [See Critic , n. , Crisis .]

1. Qualified to criticise, or pass judgment upon, literary or artistic productions.

It is submitted to the judgment of more critical ears to direct and determine what is graceful and what is not. Holder.

2. Pertaining to criticism or the critic's art; of the nature of a criticism; accurate; as, critical knowledge; a critical dissertation.

3. Inclined to make nice distinctions, or to exercise careful judgment and selection; exact; nicely judicious.

Virgil was so critical in the rites of religion. that he would never have brought in such prayers as these, if they had not been agreeable to the Roman customs. Bp. Stillingfleet.

4. Inclined to criticise or find fault; fastidious; captious; censorious; exacting.

O gentle lady, do not put me to 't, For I am nothing, if not critical . Shak.

5. Characterized by thoroughness and a reference to principles, as becomes a critic; as, a critical analysis of a subject .

6. [See Crisis .] Pertaining to, or indicating, a crisis, turning point, or specially important juncture; important as regards consequences; hence, of doubtful issue; attended with risk; dangerous; as, the critical stage of a fever; a critical situation.

Our circumstances are indeed critical . Burke.

The small moment, the exact point, the critical minute, on which every good work so much depends. South.

Critical angle (Optics) , that angle of incidence of a luminous ray at which it is wholly reflected, and no portion of it transmitted. The sine of this angle is the reciprocal of the refractive index of the medium. -- Critical philosophy , the metaphysical system of Kant; -- so called from his most important work, the "Critique of Pure Reason. " -- Critical point (Physics) , a certain temperature, different for different gases, but always the same for each gas, regarded as the limit above which no amount of pressure can produce condensation to a liquid.

Critically <Xpage=346>

Crit"ic*al*ly , adv. 1. In a critical manner; with nice discernment; accurately; exactly.

Critically to discern good writers from bad. Dryden.

2. At a crisis; at a critical time; in a situation. place, or condition of decisive consequence; as, a fortification critically situated .

Coming critically the night before the session. Bp. Burnet.

Criticalness <Xpage=346>

Crit"ic*al*ness , n. 1. The state or quality of being critical, or of occurring at a critical time.

2. Accuracy in examination or decision; exactness.

Critticaster <Xpage=346>

Critt"ic*as`ter (kr?t"?k-?s`t?r) , n. A contemptible or vicious critic.

The rancorous and reptile crew of poeticules, who decompose into criticasters . Swinburne.

Criticisable <Xpage=346>

Crit"i*cis`a*ble (kr?t"?-s?z`?-b'l) , a. Capable of being criticised.

Criticise <Xpage=346>

Crit"i*cise (kr?t"?-s?z) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Criticised (-s?zd) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Criticising .] [Written also, more analogically, but less commonly, criticize .] [Cf. G. kritisiren . See Critic .] 1. To examine and judge as a critic; to pass literary or artistic judgment upon; as, to criticise an author; to criticise a picture.

2. To express one's views as to the merit or demerit of; esp., to animadvert upon; to find fault with; as, to criticise conduct .

Blackwood's Mag.

Criticise <Xpage=346>

Crit"i*cise , v. i. 1. To act as a critic; to pass literary or artistic judgment; to play the critic; -- formerly used with on or upon .

Several of these ladies, indeed, criticised upon the form of the association. Addison.

2. To discuss the merits or demerits of a thing or person; esp., to find fault.

Cavil you may, but never criticise . Pope.

Criticiser <Xpage=346>

Crit"i*ci`ser (-s?`z?r) , n. One who criticises; a critic.

Criticism <Xpage=346>

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 .

The elements of criticism 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.

By criticism , as it was first instituted by Aristotle, was meant a standard of judging well. Dryden.

2. The act of criticising; a critical judgment passed or expressed; a critical observation or detailed examination and review; a critique; animadversion; censure.

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.

Critique <Xpage=346>

Cri*tique" (kr?-t?k") , n. [F. critique , f., fr. Gr. <?/<?/<?/<?/ (sc. <?/<?/<?/<?/) the critical art, from <?/<?/<?/<?/<?/. See Critic .]

1. The art of criticism. [Written also critic .] [R.]

2. A critical examination or estimate of a work of literature or art; a critical dissertation or essay; a careful and through analysis of any subject; a criticism; as, Kant's " Critique of Pure Reason ."

I should as soon expect to see a critique on the poesy of a ring as on the inscription of a medal. Addison.

3. A critic; one who criticises. [Obs.]

A question among critiques in the ages to come. Bp. Lincoln.

Critique <Xpage=346>

Cri*tique" , v. t. [Cf. Critic , v. ] To criticise or pass judgment upon. [Obs.]

Pope.

Crizzel <Xpage=346>

Criz"zel (kr?z"z'l) , n. [Cf. grizzle darkish gray, or G. griselig gravelly, granular, speckled.] A kind of roughness on the surface of glass, which clouds its transparency. [Written also crizzeling and crizzle .]

Croak <Xpage=346>

Croak (kr?k) , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Croaked . (kr<?/kt); p. pr. & vb. n. Croaking .] [From the primitive of AS. cracettan to croak as a raven; akin to G. kr<?/chzen to croak, and to E. creak , crake .] 1. To make a low, hoarse noise in the throat, as a frog, a raven, or a crow; hence, to make any hoarse, dismal sound.

Loud thunder to its bottom shook the bog, And the hoarse nation croaked . Pope.

2. To complain; especially, to grumble; to forebode evil; to utter complaints or forebodings habitually.

Marat . . . croaks with reasonableness. Carlyle.

Croak <Xpage=346>

Croak , v. t. To utter in a low, hoarse voice; to announce by croaking; to forebode; as, to croak disaster .

The raven himself is hoarse, That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan. Shak.

Two ravens now began to croak Their nuptial song. Wordsworth.

Croak <Xpage=346>

Croak , n. The coarse, harsh sound uttered by a frog or a raven, or a like sound.

Croaker <Xpage=346>

Croak"er (-?r) , n. 1. One who croaks, murmurs, grumbles, or complains unreasonably; one who habitually forebodes evil.