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Glite Dictionary
lower criticism

lower criticism

9.9
A study of old Bible copies to find the original text
  • noun
  • /ˈloʊər ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/
  • Archaic
translation icon : crítica textual
  • Scholars engaging in lower criticism analyze variations in ancient Bible manuscripts.

Examples

  • He published several articles on lower criticism and its impact on modern Bible translations.

  • Many scholars focus on lower criticism to verify biblical texts.

  • The history of lower criticism reflects changing views on the reliability of textual evidence.

  • The field of lower criticism is essential for textual analysis.

  • Scholars engaging in lower criticism analyze variations in ancient Bible manuscripts.

  • He published several articles on lower criticism and its impact on modern Bible translations.

  • Many scholars focus on lower criticism to verify biblical texts.

Synonyms

textual criticism
vslower criticism
  • Specialized
1 8.9

A study of different copies of a writing to find its original words

focuses on manuscript copies of sacred writings to establish the original text

Surface Forms

lower criticism singular
lower criticisms plural

Morphology

lower + criticism

The sense 'scholarly study and comparison of manuscript copies' is a specialized, technical meaning that cannot be predicted from 'lower' (to reduce or make less) plus 'criticism' (analytical judgment). This is a term of art in textual/biblical studies (contrasted with 'higher criticism'), so a B1 learner who only knows the constituent words would not reliably infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

Lower criticism uses lower to mean the small or close parts of a book and criticism to mean careful study, like a restorer checking each letter on old Bible pages. So lower criticism means careful checking of old copies to find the 'original words'.