lower criticism

[ loh-er ]

noun

1. a form of Biblical criticism having as its purpose the reconstruction of the original texts of the books of the Bible.

lower criticism

noun

1. See higher criticism
   textual criticism, esp the study of the extant manuscripts of the Scriptures in order to establish the original text Compare higher criticism

Word History and Origins

Origin of lower criticism¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

All that lower criticism can do is to point out such a probability.

From Project Gutenberg

Lower criticism declares that it is therefore the probable reading, and corrects the text in that way.

From Project Gutenberg