article

plural articles

1. A piece of nonfiction writing such as a story, report, opinion piece, or entry in a newspaper, magazine, journal, 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 March 28, 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

   2 more examples

   There were many wooden chairs for the bulk of his visitors, and two wicker armchairs with red cloth cushions for superior people. From the packing-cases had emerged some Indian clubs,[…], and all these articles[…] made a scattered and untidy decoration that Mrs. Clough assiduously dusted and greatly cherished.

   1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter XII, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC

   Had he bought nitre before, I have since tried to recall and I cannot. It is a common enough article and I sell it every day.

   1923, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], “(please specify the page)”, in The Eyes of Max Carrados, London: Grant Richards, →OCLC

3. grammarA 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. abbreviationellipsisEllipsis of 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.

   2 more examples

   upon each article of human duty

   1785, William Paley, The Principles of Moral and Political Philosophy

   the different articles which compose the blood

   1794–1796, Erasmus Darwin, Zoonomia; or, The Laws of Organic Life, volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], →OCLC

7. datedderogatoryA person; an individual.

   a shrewd article

   1 more example

   "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. obsoleteslangA wench.

   She's a prime article, a devilish good piece, a hell of a goer.

9. datedSubject matter; concern.

   This last article perhaps will hardly be believed.

   1722 March, H[enry] F[oe] [pseudonym; Daniel Defoe], A Journal of the Plague Year: […], London: […] E[lizabeth] Nutt […]; J. Roberts […]; A. Dodd […]; and J. Graves […], →OCLC

   1 more example

   a very great revolution that happened in this article of good breeding

   1711 July 27 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “MONDAY, July 17, 1711”, in The Spectator, number 119; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume II, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853, →OCLC

10. datedA distinct part.
11. obsoleteA precise point in time; a moment.

    each article of time

    1634, William Habington, Castara

    2 more examples

    This fatal news coming to Hick's Hall upon the article of my Lord Russell's trial, was said to have had no little influence on the jury and all the bench to his prejudice.

    1683 July 22 (Gregorian calendar), John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for 13 July 1683]”, in William Bray, editor, Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, […], 2nd edition, volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […]; and sold by John and Arthur Arch, […], published 1819, →OCLC

    […] 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

present singular third person articles · participle present articling · participle past articled · past articled

1. transitiveTo bind by articles of apprenticeship.

   to article an apprentice to a mechanic

   2 more examples

   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. obsoleteTo 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

   1 more example

   At noon dined alone with Sir W. Batten, where great discourse of Sir W. Pen, Sir W. Batten being, I perceive, quite out of love with him, thinking him too great and too high, and began to talk that the world do question his courage, upon which I told him plainly I have been told that he was articled against for it, and that Sir H. Vane was his great friend therein.

   1665 April 3 (date written; Gregorian calendar), Samuel Pepys, Mynors Bright, transcriber, “March 25th, 1665 (Lady day)”, in Henry B[enjamin] Wheatley, editor, The Diary of Samuel Pepys […], volume IV, London: George Bell & Sons […]; Cambridge: Deighton Bell & Co., published 1894, →OCLC, page 381

3. To formulate in articles; to set forth in distinct particulars.

   If […]all his errors and follies were articled against him, the man would seem vicious and miserable.

   1651, Jer[emy] Taylor, The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Francis Ashe […], →OCLC