First Known Use: 1821
Dictionary
artifact
noun ar·ti·fact \ˈär-ti-ˌfakt\
: a simple object (such as a tool or weapon) that was made by people in the past
: an accidental effect that causes incorrect results
Full Definition of ARTIFACT
1
a : something created by humans usually for a practical purpose; especially : an object remaining from a particular period <caves containing prehistoric artifacts> b : something characteristic of or resulting from a particular human institution, period, trend, or individual <self-consciousness … turns out to be an artifact of our education system — Times Literary Supplement>
2
: a product of artificial character (as in a scientific test) due usually to extraneous (as human) agency
— ar·ti·fac·tu·al \ˌär-ti-ˈfak-chə(-wə)l, -ˈfak-shwəl, -chü-əl\ adjective
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Origin of ARTIFACT
Other Archaeology Terms
Rhymes with ARTIFACT
Medical Dictionary
artifact
noun ar·ti·fact
Medical Definition of ARTIFACT
1
: a product of artificial character due to extraneous (as human) agency; specifically : a product or formation in a microscopic preparation of a fixed tissue or cell that is caused by manipulation or reagents and is not indicative of actual structural relationships
2
: an electrocardiographic and electroencephalographic wave that arises from sources other than the heart or brain
—ar·ti·fac·tu·al or chiefly British ar·te·fac·tu·al \ˌärt-ə-ˈfak-chə(-wə)l, -ˈfaksh-wəl\ adjective
Variants of ARTIFACT
ar·ti·fact or chiefly British ar·te·fact \ˈärt-ə-ˌfakt\
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