ar|ti|cle

ar|ti|cle «AHR tuh kuhl», noun, verb, -cled, -cling.

–n.

1. a part of a magazine, newspaper, or book: »

There is an article on gardening in the newspaper today. An article is a written composition on a special subject, complete in itself.

SYNONYM(S): essay, piece.

2. a clause in a contract, treaty, or statute: »

When the Constitution of the United States was adopted it had seven articles.

SYNONYM(S): provision.

3. a particular thing; item (of the class indicated): »

Bread is a main article of food. A desk is an article of furniture.

SYNONYM(S): object.

4. a piece of goods or property; commodity.

5. Grammar. one of the words a, an, or the, as in a book, an egg, the boy, or the corresponding words in certain other languages. A and an are the indefinite articles; the is the definite article: »

One quickly detects a foreigner thru his inaccurate use of the article (New Yorker).

6. one of the separate charges in an accusation or indictment; a count.

7. Archaic. a particular item of business; matter; subject.

8. Archaic. a point of time; moment. Abbr: art.

–v.t.

1. to bind by contract: »

The apprentice was articled to serve the master workman for seven years.

2. to charge; accuse.

–v.i.

to bring charges; make a specific charge or charges (against).

╂[< Old French article, learned borrowing from Latin articulus (diminutive) < artus joint]