• Article

    Pronunciation

    • RP IPA: /ˈɑːtɪkÉ™l/
    • GenAm IPA: /ˈɑɹtɪklÌ©/
    • Rhymes: -ɑː(r)tɪkÉ™l

    Origin

    From Middle English, from Old French, from Latin articulus ("a joint, limb, member, part, division, the article in grammar, a point of time"); prop. diminutive of artus ("a joint"), akin to Ancient Greek ἄρθρον (arthron, "joint, limb"), from root *ar ("to fit, join"); see arm, art, etc.

    Noun

    article

    (plural articles)
    1. A part or segment of something joined to other parts, or, in combination, forming a structured set.
      Each of the Wikipedia:Solifugae
      The Wikipedia:Articles of War
      • Paleyupon each article of human duty
      • Habingtoneach article of time
      • E. Darwinthe articles which compose the blood
    2. A story, report, or opinion piece in a newspaper, magazine, journal, etc.
      • 2012-03, Lee A. Groat, Gemstones, Although there are dozens of different types of gems, among the best known and most important are .... (Common gem materials not addressed in this article include amber, amethyst, chalcedony, garnet, lazurite, malachite, opals, peridot, rhodonite, spinel, tourmaline, turquoise and zircon.)
    3. A member of a group or class
      an article of clothing
    4. An object.
      • 1918, W. B. Maxwell, The Mirror and the Lamp Chapter 12, There were many wooden chairs for the bulk of his visitors, and two wicker armchairs with red cloth cushions for superior people. From the packing-cases had emerged some Indian clubs, â€¦, and all these articles â€¦ made a scattered and untidy decoration that Mrs. Clough assiduously dusted and greatly cherished.
    5. a sales article
    6. (grammar) A part of speech that indicates, specifies and limits a noun (a, an, or the in English). In some languages the article may appear as an ending (e.g. definite article in Swedish) or there may be none (e.g. Russian, Pashto).
    7. A section of a legal document, bylaws, etc.
    8. (derogatory) A person.
      • "You dateless article," stormed his father, leaving Bennett to realise in his laconic way that he was, and probably always would be, a disappointment to Dad.
    9. (1811) A wench. A prime article = A handsome girl.
      She's a prime article (whip slang), she's a devilish good piece, a hell of a goer.
    10. (dated) Subject matter; concern.
      • Addisona very great revolution that happened in this article of good breeding
      • Daniel DefoeThis last article will hardly be believed.
    11. (dated) A distinct part.
    12. (obsolete) A precise point in time; a moment.
      • EvelynThis fatal news coming to Hick's Hall upon the article of my Lord Russell's trial, was said to have had no little influence on the jury and all the bench to his prejudice.

    Full definition of article

    Verb

    1. (transitive) To bind by articles of apprenticeship.to article an apprentice to a mechanic
      • 1876, Sabine Baring-Gould, The Vicar of Morwenstow,When the boy left school at Liskeard, he was articled to a lawyer, Mr. Jacobson, at Plymouth, a wealthy man in good practice, first cousin to his mother; but this sort of profession did not at all approve itself to Robert's taste, and he only remained with Mr. Jacobson a few months.
    2. (obsolete) To accuse or charge by an exhibition of articles or accusations.
      • 1665, Samuel Pepys, Diary,At noon dined alone with Sir W. Batten, where great discourse of Sir W. Pen, Sir W. Batten being, I perceive, quite out of love with him, thinking him too great and too high, and began to talk that the world do question his courage, upon which I told him plainly I have been told that he was articled against for it, and that Sir H. Vane was his great friend therein.
      • Stat. 33 Geo. IIIHe shall be articled against in the high court of admiralty.
    3. To formulate in articles; to set forth in distinct particulars.
      • Jeremy TaylorIf all his errors and follies were articled against him, the man would seem vicious and miserable.

    Derived terms

    Anagrams

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