lower criticism

[ loh-er ]
/ ˈloʊ ər /

noun

a form of Biblical criticism having as its purpose the reconstruction of the original texts of the books of the Bible.
Also called textual criticism.
Compare higher criticism.

Origin of lower criticism

First recorded in 1895–1900

British Dictionary definitions for lower criticism

lower criticism

noun

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