artist English · revision 2924

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1507|origins=la ars}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈɑː.tɪst/, US /ˈɑːr.t̬ɪst/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|artiste|t=artist, artisan, learned man]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|it|artista]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la-med|artista|t=a student or master of the liberal arts]],^(MWU 2024) from [[la|ars|t=art, skill]], stem art-,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) the source of [[art]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ About 1507 in Merriam-Webster,^(MWU 2024) 1581 in Sidney's ''Defence of Poesie'' in Barnhart,^(Barnhart 1988) and the 1580s in Etymonline, as one who cultivates one of the fine arts.^(Etymonline) The OED's first sense, a master of the liberal arts, is from 1592.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ At first it was used especially of the arts presided over by the Muses, such as poetry, music and astronomy,^(Etymonline) and in the 17th century of anyone skilled in an art or craft, including professors, surgeons, craftsmen and cooks.^(Etymonline) A physician is ''artist'' from 1592, an astrologer or alchemist from about 1605,^(OED 1989) and a man of science from 1667.^(OED 1989) Since the mid-18th century it has meant especially one who practises painting and the visual arts.^(Etymonline) ''Artistic'' is from 1753,^(Barnhart 1988) and ''artistry'' from 1868, in Browning.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1507 – first recorded.^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1580s – one who cultivates the fine arts.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1592 – a master of arts; a physician.^(OED 1989)

+ * 17th century – a skilled craftsman.^(Etymonline)

+ * mid-18th century – a painter or sculptor.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1753 – ''artistic''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1868 – ''artistry''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person who creates works of art, especially a [[painter]] or [[sculptor]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A person whose work shows great skill: ''an artist with a chisel''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A performer, such as an actor, singer or dancer.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(informal)'' A person who habitually does something: ''a con artist''.^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[artiste]]

+ * [[artistry]]

+ * [[sidewalk artist]]

+ * [[pavement artist]]

+ * [[con artist]]

+ * [[escape artist]]

+ * [[quick-change artist]]

+ * [[trapeze artist]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[art]]

+ * [[artisan]]

+ * [[artistic]]

+ * [[artful]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}