[a. F. artifice, ad. L. artificium, f. as prec. + -ficium making.]
† 1. The action of an artificer, the making of anything by art, construction, workmanship. Obs.
1534. Ld. Berners, Gold. Bk. M. Aurel., xlii. (R.). As ye see a thing made by artifice perishe.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., 312. Though they abounded in Milk, they had not the Artifice of Cheese. Ibid., V. v. (1686), 195. Adam immediately issued from the Artifice of God. Ibid. (a. 1682), Tracts, 4. The early artifice in Brass and Iron under Tubal-Cain.
† b. esp. Mechanic art, artificer’s work. Obs.
1667. Milton, P. L., IX. 39. The skill of Artifice or Office mean.
† 2. The product of art, work of art. Obs.
a. 1652. J. Smith, Sel. Disc., iii. 52. God himself, the architect and mover of this divine artifice.
a. 1688. Cudworth, Immut. Morality, IV. ii. § 13 (1731), 175. The Material Universe, which is the Artifice of God, the Artifice of the best Mechanist.
† b. An artificial substance; a composition. Obs.
1677. Moxon, Mech. Exerc. (1703), 243. I find two kinds of Artifices used by the Antients, both of which is compounded of Lime and Hogs-grease.
† 3. Mode or style of workmanship, artistic fashion. Obs.
1597. Morley, Introd. Mus., 145. If you marke the artifice of the composition.
1663. Charleton, Chorea Gigant., 25. As for the Artifice, or manner of Workmanship.
1730. A. Gordon, Maffei’s Amphit., 51. The indifferent Artifice shewn in those two last mentioned Coins.
1756. Burke, Subl. & B., III. § 7. (1808), 228. Examine … into the artifice of the contrivance.
† 4. Constructive skill, ingenuity. Obs.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., VI. v. (R.). Such as illustrate the artifice of its maker.
1695. Bernard, Voy. fr. Aleppo, in Misc. Cur. (1708), III. 92. Carved with the greatest Artifice and Curiosity.
1777. Hume, Ess. & Treat., I. 190. Does it not counterwork the artifice of nature?
5. Human skill as opposed to what is natural.
1857. H. Reed, Lect. Brit. Poets, x. II. 24. Restoring nature, where it had been displaced by artifice.
6. Skill in designing and employing expedients; address, cunning, trickery.
1618. Sir H. May, in Fortesc. Papers, 47. Without any temporary ar[tifice] sincere and cordiall.
1628. Digby, Voy. Medit., 55. Had it not bin by artifice they could neuer haue taken them.
1745. De Foe, Eng. Tradesm., I. xx. 189. All the artifice and sleight of hand they were masters of.
1790. Paley, Hor. Paul., I. 2. The consequence of meditation, artifice, and design.
7. An ingenious expedient, a manœuvre, stratagem, device, contrivance, trick. (The ordinary sense now.)
1656. Cowley, Pind. Odes, Wks. 1710, I. 192. It now an Artifice does grow, Wrongs and Outrages to do, Lest men should think we owe.
1660. Stanley, Hist. Philos. (1701), 276/2. He condemned Rhetorick, as being used rather as an Artifice, than an Art.
1769. Junius Lett., xvi. 68. To practise these dishonest artifices.
1865. Mill, Repr. Govt., 2/1. If they can be deluded by the artifices used to cheat them out of it.
