1 VERB If a person or thing criss-crosses an area, they travel from one side to the other and back again many times, following different routes. If a number of things criss-cross an area, they cross it, and cross over each other. □ [V n] They criss-crossed the country by bus. □ [V n] Telephone wires criss-cross the street.
2 VERB If two sets of lines or things criss-cross , they cross over each other. □ [V ] Wires criss-cross between the tops of the poles, forming a grid. □ [V n] The roads criss-cross one another in a fashion that at times defies logic. [Also V n]
3 ADJ [ADJ n] A criss-cross pattern or design consists of lines crossing each other. □ Slash the tops of the loaves with a sharp serrated knife in a criss-cross pattern.
cri|teri|on /kra I t I ə riən/ (criteria /kra I t I ə riə/) N‑COUNT A criterion is a factor on which you judge or decide something. □ [+ for ] The most important criterion for entry is that applicants must design and make their own work.
crit|ic ◆◆◇ /kr I t I k/ (critics )
1 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A critic is a person who writes about and expresses opinions about things such as books, films, music, or art. □ The New York critics had praised her performance.
2 N‑COUNT [usu with poss] Someone who is a critic of a person or system disapproves of them and criticizes them publicly. □ Her critics accused her of caring only about success. SYNONYMS critic NOUN 1
judge: A panel of judges is now selecting the finalists.
reviewer: …the reviewer for the Times Literary Supplement.
criti|cal ◆◆◇ /kr I t I k ə l/
1 ADJ A critical time, factor, or situation is extremely important. □ The incident happened at a critical point in the campaign. □ He says setting priorities is of critical importance. □ How you finance a business is critical to the success of your venture. ● criti|cal|ly /kr I t I kli/ ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ Economic prosperity depends critically on an open world trading system. □ It was a critically important moment in his career.
2 ADJ A critical situation is very serious and dangerous. □ The authorities are considering an airlift if the situation becomes critical. □ Its day-to-day finances are in a critical state. ● criti|cal|ly ADV [usu ADV adj] □ Moscow is running critically low on food supplies.
3 ADJ If a person is critical or in a critical condition in hospital, they are seriously ill. □ Ten of the injured are said to be in critical condition. ● criti|cal|ly ADV [usu ADV adj, oft ADV with v] □ She was critically ill.
4 ADJ To be critical of someone or something means to criticize them. □ [+ of ] His report is highly critical of the trial judge. □ He has apologised for critical remarks he made about the referee. ● criti|cal|ly ADV □ [+ of ] She spoke critically of Lara.
5 ADJ [ADJ n] A critical approach to something involves examining and judging it carefully. □ We need to become critical text-readers. □ …the critical analysis of political ideas. ● criti|cal|ly ADV □ Wyman watched them critically.
6 ADJ [ADJ n] If something or someone receives critical acclaim, critics say that they are very good. □ The film met with considerable critical and public acclaim. SYNONYMS critical ADJ
1
cruciaclass="underline" …the most crucial election campaign for years.
momentous: The past three years have been among the most momentous in world history.
decisive: The election campaign has now entered its final, decisive phase.
vitaclass="underline" After her release, she was able to give vital information about her kidnapper.
4
scathing: He then launched a scathing attack on previous leaders.
disparaging: He was critical of the people, disparaging of their crude manners.
derogatory: He refused to withdraw derogatory remarks made about his boss.
disapproving: Janet gave him a disapproving look.
contemptuous: He's openly contemptuous of all the major political parties.
cri ti|cal ma ss
1 N‑SING In physics, the critical mass of a substance is the minimum amount of it that is needed for a nuclear chain reaction. [TECHNICAL ]
2 N‑SING A critical mass of something is an amount of it that makes it possible for something to happen or continue. □ [+ of ] Only in this way can the critical mass of participation be reached.
criti|cise /kr I t I sa I z/ → see criticize
criti|cism ◆◆◇ /kr I t I s I zəm/ (criticisms )
1 N‑VAR [N that] Criticism is the action of expressing disapproval of something or someone. A criticism is a statement that expresses disapproval. □ This policy had repeatedly come under strong criticism on Capitol Hill. □ [+ of ] …unfair criticism of his tactics. □ The criticism that the English do not truly care about their children was often voiced.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Criticism is a serious examination and judgment of something such as a book or play. □ She has published more than 20 books including novels, poetry and literary criticism. COLLOCATIONS criticism NOUN 1
adjective + criticism : constructive, legitimate, widespread; fierce, harsh, heavy, strong; unfair, unjustified, unwarranted