artifice etymology

Etymology:

  • Middle English: artifice, from Old French artifice, from Latin ars, artis ("art, skill") + -ficium ("making")

Meaning:

  • A clever or deceptive device or scheme
  • A work of art or skill
  • Something superficial or artificial

Origin:

The word "artifice" originated from the Latin word "ars, artis," which means "art, skill." The "-ficium" suffix indicates "making," resulting in the meaning "the making of art."

In the 14th century, the word "artifice" entered the Middle English language as "artifice." Initially, it was used to refer to a work of art or a skilled craft. However, by the 16th century, the word had acquired its modern meaning, referring to something deceptive or artificial.

Today, "artifice" is used in a variety of contexts, including:

  • To describe a clever or deceptive scheme
  • To refer to a work of art or skill
  • To describe something that is superficial or artificial

The word is often used in a negative sense, to indicate something that is not genuine or sincere. However, it can also be used in a positive sense, to describe something that is well-crafted or ingenious.

artifice relate terms

  • artful

    Etymology Artful originates from the Middle English word arteful which itself comes

  • artless

    Etymology From Middle English artles from Old English earg slack cowardly timi

  • artificer

    Etymology The word artificer is derived from the Latin word artifex which is the c

  • artifice

    Etymology Middle English artifice from Old French artifice from Latin ars artis a

  • ruse

    Etymology The word ruse comes from the French word ruse meaning trick or stratage

  • stratagem

    Etymology Latin stratēgēma from Greek στρατήγημα stratēgēma from σ

  • deception

    Etymology Old French decepcion 13th century Latin deceptio act of deceiving decept

  • artifact

    Etymology The word artifact is derived from two Latin words Ars meaning art sk

  • gallant

    Etymology Old French galant Late Latin galans Gaulish gallo meaning cock or roos

  • gaud

    Etymology and Meaning of Gaud The origin of the word gaud traces back to the Middle E

  • politician

    Etymology The term politician derives from the Greek word politikos meaning of fo

  • maneuver

    Etymology The word maneuver comes from the French word manœuvre which in turn deri

  • sure

    Etymology Sure comes from the Old English word sīcur which meant carefree safe

  • freedom

    Etymology Middle English fredom from Old English frēodōm n state of being free