3–; also 4–7 articul(e, 5 artycul, artykele, -kle, artikil, 5–6 artycle. [a. F. article, ad. L. articul-us (which lives on in F. as orteil), dim. of artus joint, f. ar- to join; cf. ARM, ART.]
I. Literally.
† 1. A joint connecting two parts of the body. Obs.
1541. R. Copland, Galyen’s Terap., 2 G ij. Woundes of the artycles are Cacoethes and wycked.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 745. Their legges are without Articles.
1643. J. Steer, trans. Exp. Chyrurg., iv. 11. The Nerves and Articuls.
1693. W. Robertson, Phraseol. Gen., 139. An Article, or joynt, of the body or bones thereof.
II. Of time.
2. A nick of time that joins two successive periods, a juncture, a moment; the very moment, the critical point or moment.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., II. xx. (1495), 47. They ben not suffysaunt to the artycle of temptacyon.
1502. Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W.), I. ii. (1506), 9. Conferme the holy baptem in the artycle of necessyte.
1634. Habington, Castara, 44. And each article of time Her pure thoughts to heaven flie.
1665–6. Phil. Trans., I. 348. Very thick Exhalations … in the Article of the Setting of the Sun.
1709. Lett., in W. Peek, Axholme (1815), 207. Pulled him out, just in the article of time that the roof fill in.
1722. Wollaston, Relig. Nat., v. 99. An infirm building, just in the article of falling.
b. esp. in article of death.
a. 1475[?]. Craft of Deyng, 37 (1870). Thai that are in the artykle of ded has vþer temptations.
1483. Caxton, Cato, F vj b. Euery man ought to haue good hope whan he is in the article of deth.
1512. MS. Reg. Test. Ebor., VIII. 101 b. Seyng the articlys of deth comyng apon me.
1635. Evelyn, Diary (1827), I. 11. To the very article of her departure.
1782. Bp. Newton, Wks., II. 706. In the article of death he commended his soul to God.
1861. Maine, Anc. Law, vi. (1876), 207. Roman citizens originally made their Wills only in the article of death.
III. The separate members or portions of anything written. [Articulus in L. was extended from the joint, to the parts jointed on, limbs, members, ‘joints’ of a finger, etc.; whence transf. to the component parts of discourses, writings, actions.]
3. The separate clauses or statements of the Apostles’ Creed; the separate items of any summary of faith; the thirty-nine statements to which those who take orders in the Church of England subscribe.
a. 1230. Ancr. R., 262. Þe articles, þet beoð, ase þauh me seide, þe liðes of ure bileaue.
1340. Ayenb., 11. Þe tuelf Articles of þe Cristene Byleve.
a. 1400. Relig. Pieces fr. Thornton MS. (1867), 27. Þe twelue artycles of þe trouthe.
a. 1420. Occleve, De Reg. Princ., 384. In alle the articles of the feithe I beleeve as holy writte seithe.
1599. Broughton’s Lett., xi. 38. This article He descended into Hell, is but an explication of the former He dyed and was buried.
a. 1654. Selden, Table-T. (Arb.), 72 (R.). A Minister should preach according to the Articles of Religion Established in the Church where he is.
1692. Locke, Toleration, i. Articles of Faith (as they are called) … cannot be imposed on any Church by the Law of the Land.
1719. Swift, To Yng. Clergym., Wks. 1755, II. II. 17. That you are any where directed in the canons or articles to attempt explaining the mysteries.
1855. Milman, Lat. Chr. (1864), II. IV. i. 172. The six great articles in the faith of Islam.
1862. Ld. Brougham, Brit. Const., xvii. 272, note. The Church is not even synonymous with the clergy … according to the definition in the Thirty-nine Articles.
1865. Bushnell, Vicar. Sacr., Introd. (1868), 31. Will some one undertake to give us Othello by dogmatic article?
4. A separate clause or provision of a statute; an enactment, or act. [Common in med. (English) L., as in the Articuli Cleri, Articuli Coronæ.]
[1315. Act 9 Edw. II., Articuli Cleri, made at Lincolne.]
1523. Fitzherb., Surv., j. This statute … wherin is contayned many and dyuers chapiters and artycles.
1547. Act 1 Edw. VI., xii. The statute made for the abolishment of diuersity of opinions, in certaine articles concerning Christiane Religion commonly called the vi articles.
1637. Decree Star Chamb., viii. in Milton’s Areop. (Arb.), 13. Books, Ballads … printed contrary to this Article.
1711. Countrey-Man’s Lett. to Curat, 5. The Famous ACT of the SIX ARTICLES in the Year, 1539, is notourly known.
b. Sc. Hist. Lords of the Articles: a standing committee of the Scottish Parliament, who drafted and prepared the measures submitted to the House.
1483. Act 13 Jas. III. (1597), § 95. The Lordes of the Articles thinkis expedient [etc.].
1827. Hallam, Const. Hist. (1876), III. xvii. 308. From the reign of James IV. the lords of articles are regularly named in the records of every parliament.
a. 1862. Buckle, Civiliz. (1869), III. ii. 71. The Lords of the Articles whose business it was to digest the measures to be brought before Parliament.
c. The Articles of War: regulations made for the government of the military and naval forces of Great Britain and the United States.
1716. Lond. Gaz., mmmmmccccxlvi/10. All having had the Articles of War read to them.
1748. in Beatson, Nav. & Mil. Mem. (1790), I. 385. The Court unanimously agree, that Rear-Admiral Knowles falls under part of the fourteenth article of war.
1844. Regul. & Ord. Army, 141. The Articles of War are to be read once in every Three Months to the Officers and Men.
1863. Cox, Inst. Eng. Govt., II. ii. 322. The Mutiny Act proceeds to authorize the Crown to make articles of war.
5. Each of the distinct charges, or counts, of an accusation or indictment; in pl. an indictment drawn up in articles.
1413. Lydg., Pylgr. Sowle, I. xiv. 11. I shold … answere to these artycles of myn accusement.
1553–87. Foxe, A. & M. III. 140. And charge him with what articles they lusted.
1593. Shaks., Rich. II., IV. i. 243. My Lord dispatch, reade o’re these Articles.
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn., I. ii. § 1. Anytus … laid it as an article of charge … against him, that [etc.].
1649. Selden, Laws of Eng., II. iii. (1739), 20. A trick of a new kind of Trial … by suggestions upon Articles exhibited against any man before the Council-Table.
1734. trans. Rollin’s Anc. Hist. (1827), VIII. XIX. § 9. 254. To have any articles to lay to his charge.
1864. Burton, Scot Abr., I. i. 17. Certain articles presented against this archbishop.
6. Each of the distinct heads or points of an agreement or treaty; hence a. in pl. a formal agreement. Articles of Apprenticeship: terms of agreement between an apprentice and his employer. Articles of Association: rules, conditions, etc., upon which a commercial agreement is founded.
1399. Rich. Redeless, IV. 43. To reherse þe articlis and graunte all her askynge.
1475. Bk. Noblesse, 14. The articulis of the pease finalle made between both kingis.
1494. Fabyan, VI. clxxxix. 192. Amonges other artycles that he bounde theym vnto.
1614. B. Jonson, Barth. Fair, Introd. I am sent out to you here, with a scrivener, and certain articles drawn out in haste between our author and you.
1732. Lediard, Sethos, II. x. 479. To settle the articles of marriage with him.
1735. Pope, Donne Sat., II. 94. Indentures, Cov’nants, Articles they draw.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones (1775), III. 200. Articles of separation were soon drawn up, and signed between the parties.
1813. Wellington, in Gurw., Disp., XI. 94. I have just received the articles of capitulation of the Castle of San Sebastian.
1837. Macready, in Rem., II. 80. Construction of the actors’ articles of agreement.
b. sing. (in same sense). arch.
1741–3. Wesley, Jrnl. (1749), 79. On Monday an Article was drawn, wherein he agreed to put me in possession on Thursday.
1786. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1859), II. 18. To prepare an article defining the extent of the powers over commerce.
c. pl. Terms, conditions. arch. Cf. ARTICLE v. 5.
1650. T. B., Worcester’s Apoph., 101. You are all offered large Articles for your selves.
1659. D’Orly, in Burton, Diary (1828), IV. 420. He may sue his articles.
1685. Lond. Gaz., mmlxxv/2. Caschaw has surrendred upon Articles.
1727. Arbuthnot, John Bull (1755), 51. The matter was concluded, and Peg taken into the house upon certain articles.
1761. Smollett, Gil Blas, V. i. (1802), II. 123. An actress enters into articles with a rich gallant.
† d. in horse-racing. Clerk of the Articles = clerk of the course. Obs.
1697. Lond. Gaz., mmmcccxxiii/4. Any Person may enter his Horse with the Clerk of the Articles till the 29th Instant. Ibid. (1706), mmmmccxix/4. To be governed by the Articles of the Race.
† 7. A clause in a will; a legacy. Obs.
1480. Bury Wills (1850), 57. Wyllyng the seid will in eueri article to take pleyn effecte. Ibid., 60. Contrarie to the entent of this myn articule and laste will.
1761. Smollett, Gil Blas, II. ii. Besides her residue under the will, she had some snug little articles.
8. gen. A paragraph, section, or distinct item of any document.
c. 1430. Freemasonry, 87. The furste artycul of thys gemetry.
1505. Instruc. Hen. VII. to Ambassadors, in Facsim. Nat. MSS., I. 66. Item, to note welle hir ies, &c.—As to thys articule, the ies of the saide Quyne be of colore browne.
1555. Fardle Facions, App. 349. The ten articles of the lawe, whiche we commenly calle the .x. commandementes.
1675. Baxter, Cath. Theol., II. I. 124. This belongeth to the next Article though here you anticipate it.
1732. Arbuthnot, Rules of Diet, 261. All the Substances mentioned in the foregoing Article.
1734. trans. Rollin’s Anc. Hist., xx. (1827), IX. 1. This 20th book contains 3 articles.
Mod. Every Main word in this Dictionary is treated in a separate article.
9. A literary composition forming materially part of a journal, magazine, encyclopædia, or other collection, but treating a specific topic distinctly and independently. (Here the idea of a section or part of the book, is quite subordinated to that of the independent character of the ‘article.’ It is one of the articles in the paper, as distinguished from the articles of this Dictionary.)
1712. Addison, Spect., No. 452, ¶ 5. They read the Advertisements with the same curiosity as the Articles of publick News.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones, VIII. i. The home articles of a newspaper.
1822. Miss Mitford, in L’Estrange, Life, II. vii. 151. Charles Lamb’s articles, signed ‘Elia.’
1850. Thackeray, Pendennis, xxx. (1863), 257. Warrington … pointed to one of the leading articles in that Journal.
c. 1870. Kinglake, Crimea, I. (ed. 4), Advt. 13. The book … became the subject—not merely of reviews, but also—of what they call ‘articles.’
IV. A separate thing (immaterial or material).
† 10. A particular piece of business, a matter, business or concern; a subject. Of great article: of great moment, of importance. Obs.
1430. Paston Lett., 14, I. 30. Ye are Vicar general in Inggelond of the worthy Prelate … and have hys power in many grete articles.
1602. Shaks., Ham., V. ii. 122. I take him to be a soul of great article.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 428, ¶ 1. In his Way to Wealth, which is the great Article of Life.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa (1811), I. xxxix. 288. To say, there was no article so proper for parents to govern in, as this of marriage.
1767. Fordyce, Serm. Yng. Wom., I. vi. 252. Permit me, before I dismiss this article, to offer a hint.
1786. T. Jefferson, Writ. (1859), I. 549. Gardening … is the article in which it surpasses all the earth.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., Introd. 2. In this article Josephus might be mistaken.
b. followed by of: The matter of, the particular item of, that which comes under the head of. (Said also of things material.) In the article of: under the head of, so far as concerns, in regard to.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., II. i. 53. Thou shouldst not alter the article of thy Gentry.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 119, ¶ 2. A very great Revolution that has happen’d in this Article of Good-breeding.
1788. Priestley, Lect. Hist., V. li. 389. The very article of making and managing the ships themselves employs a great number of hands.
1805. S. Bourne, in Rose, Diaries (1860), II. 206. He thinks himself … better, particularly in the article of sleep.
1874. F. Hall, in N. Amer. Rev., CXIX. 321. As he views matters, we have been steadily going down hill, in the article of our mother-tongue.
† 11. An item in an account, list, etc. Obs.
1722. De Foe, Hist. Plague (1754), 8. The Bills rise high, the Articles of the Fever, Spotted-Fever, and Teeth, began to swell. Ibid. (1756), 112. This was really a dismal Article.
1774. Mrs. Chapone, Improv. Mind, II. 63. A considerable article in expence is saved by it.
12. One of the distinct parts or portions of any subject, action or proceeding (although the latter is not formally divided into items); a piece, a distinct detail, a particular.
1741. Middleton, Cicero, II. XI. 569. An uniformity of character in every article of his conduct.
1760. Sterne, Tr. Shandy, 209. I have an article of news to tell you.
1785. Cowper, Tirocin., 241. If he there be tamed, Or in one article of vice reclaimed.
1817. Jas. Mill, Brit. India, II. V. ii. 374. An important article of the duty of the Supreme Council.
1875. Grindon, Life, xviii. 227. To encourage love of work is the first article of sensible education.
13. An article of: a material thing forming part of, or coming under the head of, any class.
1823. Rutter, Fonthill, 50. That superb article of modern luxury.
1827. De Quincey, Lessing, Wks. XIII. 292. The dress … is brought before us article by article.
1840. Macready, Remin., II. 160. Called at several shops and priced various articles of furniture.
1866. G. Macdonald, Ann. Q. Neighb., xi. (1878), 215. By the time books … come to be loved as articles of furniture.
14. elliptically (= article of trade, commerce, food, clothing, use, property): A commodity; a piece of goods or property, a chattel, a thing material.
1804. J. Grahame, Sabbath (1839), 17/2. The immediate consequence would be (to speak in mercantile phrase) a fall in the price of the article.
1819. Byron, Juan, I. cxliii. Stockings, slippers, brushes, combs … With other articles of ladies fair.
1824. Dibdin, Libr. Comp., 421. His folio … is yet a ‘crack-article’ with the knowing.
1829. Carlyle, Misc. (1857), I. 269. A superior demand for the article of dramas.
1833. Ht. Martineau, Fr. Wines & Pol., v. 81. If this happened with every article … there would be an end of the cheapness.
1852. McCulloch, Taxation, II. ix. 332. A taxed article, such as soap.
1856. F. E. Paget, Owlet of Owlst., 97. Lady Selina was just the article he wished for.
1859. Lewes, Phys. Com. Life, I. ii. 102. If … the purpose of food be to sustain the organism, that article which sustains it longest … must be most nutritive of all.
1883. Law Rep., Q. Bench, XI. 590. The prosecutor’s house was feloniously broken into … and several articles were stolen.
Mod. Shopkeeper: ‘The next article, Ma’am?’
V. In Arithmetic.
† 15. The number 10; each of the tens, or round numbers between units (or digits) and hundreds.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XIX. cxxiii. 923 (1495). Eche symple nombre byneth ten is Digitus and ten is the fyrst Articulus, and the nexte is twenty.
1543. Recorde, Gr. Arts (1640), 219. This is true both of Digits and Articles.
1594. Blundevil, Exerc., I. i. 2. Article is any number ending in a Cypher, as 10 is one Article, 20 is two Articles.
1751. Chambers, Cycl., Article, in arithmetic, signifies the number 10, or any number justly divisible into ten parts.
VI. In Grammar.
16. A name for the adjectives the (Definite Article) and a, an (Indefinite Article), and their equivalents in other languages, sometimes considered to form a distinct Part of Speech.
In this sense representing the L. articulus, a term used in Latin as early as the time of Quintilian as a transl. of the Gr. ἄρθρον, to denote the Gr. ὸ, ή, τό = the. The inclusion of a and its equivalents belongs to the grammar of the modern languages. Palsgrave (1530), makes two articles in Fr., ung and le, but he does not seem to know the terms Definite and Indefinite—which were possibly taken (in a new sense) from the language of the ancient Stoic grammarians who (using ἄρθρα to denote the pronouns) distinguished between ἄρθρα ὡρισμένα or Definite articles, and ἄρθρα ἀοριστώδη or Indefinite articles; the former being with them our personal pronouns, the latter the other pronouns and demonstratives including the art. ὸ, ή, τό = the. The exact sense in which ἄρθρον was first used in grammar is uncertain. (I. Bywater.)
1530. Palsgr., Introd. 14. Besydes the viii partes of speche commen betwene them and the latines … they have also a nynth part of reason whiche I call article, borrowyng the name of the Grekes.
1532. More, Confut. Tindale, Wks. 450/2. This worde, that, putteth Tyndall for the article, the.
a. 1637. B. Jonson, Eng. Gram., Wks. 1859, 778. We add a ninth [part of speech], which is the article: and that is two-fold; Finite … the; Infinite … a.
1711. J. Greenwood, Eng. Gram., 62. There are two articles, a and the. These are really Nouns Adjective, and are used almost after the same Manner as other Adjectives. Therefore I have not made the Article (as some have done) a distinct Part of Speech.
1867. N. & Q., Ser. III. XI. 52/1. Sir William Davenant contrived to write a poem ‘the London Vacation’ almost without the use of Articles.
