critique
UK[krɪˈtiːk]US[krɪˈtiːk]
n
A detailed analysis and assessment of something, especially a literary, philosophical, or political theory.
v
To evaluate or analyze something in a detailed and critical way.
Morpheme Breakdown
crit
ique
crit
judge
ique
noun/adjective suffix
Etymology
The word 'critique' entered English in the 17th century from French, where it denoted the art of criticism. Its deeper roots lie in the Greek word 'kritikē tekhnē', meaning 'the critical art', derived from 'kritēs' (judge) and the verb 'krinein' (to separate, decide, judge). This fundamental notion of separating components to make a discerning judgment is preserved in the modern sense of a detailed analytical assessment. The French suffix '-ique' (from Latin '-icus') was adopted to form the noun, solidifying its meaning as a systematic practice or product of critical evaluation.
Analysis
Structure: crit (judge) + ique (noun/adjective suffix)
crit: From Latin 'criticus' and Greek 'kritikos', meaning 'able to judge'. It functions as the core root conveying the sense of judgment or discernment.
ique: A suffix of French origin (from Latin '-icus', Greek '-ikos'), used to form adjectives and nouns, often indicating a characteristic or a field of study.
Examples
She wrote a penetrating critique of the author's latest novel.
The professor encouraged us to critique each other's research proposals constructively.
His article provides a major critique of contemporary economic policy.