etymology · 1400s–1600s
artificial
Drift #15 · May 27, 2026 · abstract
Meaning comparison
Today it means
not natural; synthetic; fake
It used to mean (1400s–1600s)
made with great skill and artistry; masterfully crafted
Etymology
'Artificial' comes from Latin 'artificialis' — of or belonging to art or craft — from 'artifex' (craftsman, artist). For centuries it meant masterfully human-made, the opposite of crude or accidental. As industrial production replaced handcraft, the word lost its admiration and came to mean 'imitation' or 'not genuine.'
The Drift
How the meaning shifted over time
the drift
In Historical Context
The goldsmith was praised for his artificial work — a rose of such delicate metalwork that it seemed almost to breathe.
drift fact
'Artisan' and 'artifact' share the same Latin root — both preserve the original sense of skilled human making.
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