English
article
Pronunciation
  • (RP) IPA: /ˈɑːtɪkəl/, [ˈɑːtʰɪkʰəɫ]
  • (America) IPA: /ˈɑɹtɪkəl/, /ˈɑɹtəkl̩/, [ˈɑ(ː)ɹɾɨkɫ]
Noun

article (plural articles)

  1. A piece of nonfictional writing such as a story, report, opinion piece, or entry in a newspaper, magazine, journal, dictionary, encyclopedia, etc.
  2. An object, a member of a group or class.
    an article of clothing
    a sales article
  3. (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).
  4. A section of a legal document, bylaws, etc. or, in the plural, the entire document seen as a collection of these.
    The Articles of War are a set of regulations […] to govern the conduct of […] military […] forces
  5. A genuine article.
  6. A part or segment of something joined to other parts, or, in combination, forming a structured set.
    Each of the chelicerae is composed of two articles, forming a powerful pincer.
    • upon each article of human duty
    • the articles which compose the blood
  7. (derogatory) A person.
    A shrewd article.
  8. (archaic) A wench.
    She's a prime article (whip slang), she's a devilish good piece, a hell of a goer.
  9. (dated) Subject matter; concern.
    • a very great revolution that happened in this article of good breeding
    • This last article will hardly be believed.
  10. (dated) A distinct part.
  11. (obsolete) A precise point in time; a moment.
    • 1683, John Evelyn, Diary, 13 July 1683 ↗.
      This 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.
    • 1805, Charles Hall (economist), The Effects of Civilisation on the People in European States, Original Preface:
      […] who has more opportunities of acquiring the knowledge, than a physician? He is admitted into the dwellings of all ranks of people, and into the innermost parts of them; he sees them by their fireside, at their tables, and in their beds; he sees them at work, and at their recreations; he sees them in health, in sickness, and in the article of death; […]
    • each article of time
Related terms Translations Translations Translations Translations Translations Verb

article (articles, present participle articling; past and past participle articled)

  1. (transitive) To bind by articles of apprenticeship.
    to article an apprentice to a mechanic
    • 1876, Sabine Baring-Gould, The Vicar of Morwenstow, Chapter LIV
      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, March 1665
      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. III
      He shall be articled against in the high court of admiralty.
  3. To formulate in articles; to set forth in distinct particulars.
    • If all his errors and follies were articled against him, the man would seem vicious and miserable.


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