article

Etymology

From Middle English article, from Old French article, from Latin articulus (“a joint, limb, member, part, division, the article in grammar, a point of time”), from Latin artus, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂értus (“that which is fit together; juncture, ordering”), from the root *h₂er- (“to join, fit (together)”).

noun

1. A piece of nonfictional writing such as a story, report, opinion piece, or entry in a newspaper, magazine, journal, dictionary, encyclopedia, etc.
   Although there are dozens of different types of gems, among the best known and most important are […]. (Common gem materials not addressed in this article include amber, amethyst, chalcedony, garnet, lazurite, malachite, opals, peridot, rhodonite, spinel, tourmaline, turquoise and zircon.) 2012-03, Lee A. Groat, “Gemstones”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, page 128
2. An object, a member of a group or class.
   an article of clothing
   a sales article
3. (grammar) A part of speech that indicates, specifies and limits a noun (a, an, or the in English). In some languages the article may appear as an ending (e.g. definite article in Swedish) or there may be none (e.g. Russian, Pashto).
   ‘A song called “Freak Like Me” by the Sugababes,’ said Jesse. ‘Just Sugababes, no article,’ the man said, enjoying the stunned reaction on Jesse’s face. 2020, Paul Mendez, Rainbow Milk, Dialogue Books (2021), page 118
4. A section of a legal document, bylaws, etc. or, in the plural, the entire document seen as a collection of these.
   The Articles of War are a set of regulations[…]to govern the conduct of[…]military[…]forces
5. A genuine article.
6. A part or segment of something joined to other parts, or, in combination, forming a structured set.
   Each of the chelicerae is composed of two articles, forming a powerful pincer.
7. (derogatory, dated) A person; an individual.
   a shrewd article
   "You dateless article," stormed his father, leaving Bennett to realise in his laconic way that he was, and probably always would be, a disappointment to Dad. 2001 August 4, Lynne Walker, “Classical: Musical portrait of the artist as a young man”, in The Independent
8. (archaic) A wench.
   She's a prime article (whip slang), she's a devilish good piece, a hell of a goer.
9. (dated) Subject matter; concern.
10. (dated) A distinct part.
11. (obsolete) A precise point in time; a moment.
    […] who has more opportunities of acquiring the knowledge, than a physician? He is admitted into the dwellings of all ranks of people, and into the innermost parts of them; he sees them by their fireside, at their tables, and in their beds; he sees them at work, and at their recreations; he sees them in health, in sickness, and in the article of death; […] 1805, Charles Hall, The Effects of Civilisation on the People in European States, Original Preface
    each article of time 1634, William Habington, Castara

verb

1. (transitive) To bind by articles of apprenticeship.
   to article an apprentice to a mechanic
   When the boy left school at Liskeard, he was articled to a lawyer, Mr. Jacobson, at Plymouth, a wealthy man in good practice, first cousin to his mother; but this sort of profession did not at all approve itself to Robert's taste, and he only remained with Mr. Jacobson a few months. 1876, Sabine Baring-Gould, “Chapter LIV”, in The Vicar of Morwenstow
   After educational training at Hayes Grammar School and Hayes College, Mr. Nokes was articled to a Surveyor and Land Agent in 1885, and, at the expiration of his articles, became a partner in the firm. 1948 May and June, “G. A. Sekon”, in Railway Magazine, page 145
2. (obsolete) To accuse or charge by an exhibition of articles or accusations.
   […] if the Captain of any Merchant ship under convoy shall wilfully disobey Signals […] he shall be liable to be articled against in the High Court of Admiralty […] 1793, Manning of the Navy Act (Statutes of George III 33 c. 66) ¶VIIIhttps://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.31970009469807
3. To formulate in articles; to set forth in distinct particulars.