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Definition & Meaning: Art Word Root

The root word “Art” comes from the Latin “Artem,” meaning “skill.” It typically refers to the quality or expressions of what is beautiful or of great significance. For instance, the word “artefact” refers to an object of cultural interest made by a human being because:Arte: By skillFactum: To make

Arte+Factum: To make something of importance (culturally or historically) by skill.

The usage of “Art” refers to the application of skill in any form and therefore isn’t naturally occurring. “Artificial” refers to something that employs skill in its manufacture and thus doesn’t occur naturally or isn’t ‘natural’.

A word root tree diagram illustrating the root word "Art" with branches showing the words Art (Expression of human creative skill), Artefact (Object of historical or cultural interest), and Artisan (Skilled worker or craftsman).

Words Based on the Art Word Root

Commonly Used Words based on the Word Root Art

  • Art: The expression or application of human creative skill, through various means, expressing imaginative and technical skill.
  • Artefact: An object of historical or cultural interest made by human beings.
  • Artful: A skilful or dextrous person capable of handling difficult conditions.
  • Artifice: A clever trick used for deception, a wile.
  • Artificial: Something produced by human skill, something that doesn’t occur naturally.
  • Artisan: A skilled worker, a craftsman.
  • Artist: A person who is skilful and creates Art.
  • Artiste: A professional artist or a skilled performer.
  • Artistic: Creative or imaginative.
  • Artistry: Any artistic ability or skill.
  • Artless: A naive or innocent person free from deception.
  • Artsy: A person making a pretentious display of interest in an Art.
  • Artwork: Any form of artistic work, such as a painting or a sculpture.

Archaic Words based on the Word Root Art

  • Artifactual: An object made by human beings, usually found at archaeological excavations.
  • Artisanal: Relating to a skilful artisan.

Technical Words/Jargon based on the Word Root Art

  • Artifactual: An object made by human beings, usually found at archaeological excavations.
  • Artisanal: Relating to a skilful artisan.

Related Word Roots

1. Techni- (Greek: ‘skill, Art’)

The root “techni” conveys the idea of skill or Art in various forms.

  • Technique: A way of carrying out a particular task, especially the execution or performance of an artistic work or a scientific procedure.
  • Technical: Relating to a particular subject, Art, or craft, or its techniques.
  • Technician: A person skilled in the technique of an Art or craft.

2. Creat- (Latin: ‘to make, create’)

Derived from Latin, this root word is central in terms like:

  • Create: To bring something into existence.
  • Creative: Relating to or involving the use of the imagination or original ideas to create something.
  • Creature: An animal, as distinct from a human being.

3. Fabri- (Latin: ‘to make, build’)

This root conveys the idea of building or making, integral in words like:

    • Fabricate: To construct or manufacture something, especially from prepared components.
    • Fabric: The basic structure of a building or system.
    • Fabricator: A person who constructs or manufactures something.

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