art

I. Etymology: Middle English, from Old English eart; akin to Old Norse est, ert (thou) art, Old English is is archaic present second singular of be II. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin art-, ars — more at arm Date: 13th century 1. skill acquired by experience, study, or observation <

the art of making friends

> 2. a. a branch of learning: (1) one of the humanities (2) plural liberal arts b. archaic learning, scholarship 3. an occupation requiring knowledge or skill <

the art of organ building

> 4. a. the conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects; also works so produced b. (1) fine arts (2) one of the fine arts (3) a graphic art 5. a. archaic a skillful plan b. the quality or state of being artful 6. decorative or illustrative elements in printed matter Synonyms: art, skill, cunning, artifice, craft mean the faculty of executing well what one has devised. art implies a personal, unanalyzable creative power <

the art of choosing the right word

>. skill stresses technical knowledge and proficiency <

the skill of a glassblower

>. cunning suggests ingenuity and subtlety in devising, inventing, or executing <

a mystery plotted with great cunning

>. artifice suggests technical skill especially in imitating things in nature <

believed realism in film could be achieved only by artifice

>. craft may imply expertness in workmanship <

the craft of a master goldsmith

>. III. adjective Date: 1868 produced as an artistic effort or for decorative purposes <

an art film

> <

art dolls

> <

art music

> IV. abbreviation 1. article 2. artificial 3. artillery