art

I

[[t]ɑrt[/t]]

n.

1) fia the quality, production, expression, or realm of what is beautiful or of more than ordinary significance

2) fia the class of objects subject to aesthetic criteria, as paintings, sculptures, or drawings

3) fia a field or category of art:

Dance is an art[/ex]

4) the fine arts collectively

5) any field using the skills or techniques of art:

industrial art[/ex]

6) (in printed matter) illustrative or decorative material

7) the principles or methods governing any craft or branch of learning:

the art of baking[/ex]

8) the craft or trade using these principles or methods

9) skill in conducting any human activity:

the art of conversation[/ex]

10) edu a branch of learning or university study, esp. one of the fine arts or the humanities, as music, philosophy, or literature

11) arts

a) (used with a sing. v.) the humanities

b) (used with a pl. v.)

liberal arts

12) skilled workmanship, execution, or agency, as distinguished from nature

13) trickery; cunning

14) studied action; artificiality in behavior

15) an artifice or artful device:

the arts of politics[/ex]

16) archaic science; learning

•

Etymology: 1175–1225; ME < OF, acc. of ars < L ars (nom.), artem (acc.) II

art

[[t]ɑrt[/t]] v. archaic

fun

2nd pers. sing. pres. indic. of be

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Etymology: bef. 950; ME; OE eart=ear- (see are I) +-t ending of 2nd pers. sing.