Brickbatting

/ˈbrɪkˌbætɪŋ/ verb

Definition

Present participle of brickbat; the act of criticizing or attacking with harsh words.

Etymology

Gerund form of the verb 'brickbat,' created by adding '-ing' to the root. Uncommon in modern English but used in literary or formal criticism contexts.

Kelly Says

The gerund 'brickbatting' transforms the noun into an ongoing action—someone is 'brickbatting' the performance, which sounds wonderfully archaic and British, like you're at a Victorian theater being rude about the actors.

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