WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Ar*tif"i*cer
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [Cf. F. artificier, fr. LL. artificiarius.]
Definition : 1. An artistic worker; a mechanic or manufacturer; one whose occupation requires skill or knowledge of a particular kind, as a silversmith.

2. One who makes or contrives; a deviser, inventor, or framer. "Artificer of fraud." Milton. The great Artificer of all that moves. Cowper.

3. A cunning or artful fellow. [Obs.] B. Jonson.

4. (Mil.)

Defn: A military mechanic, as a blacksmith, carpenter, etc.; also, one who prepares the shells, fuses, grenades, etc., in a military laboratory.

Syn. -- Artisan; artist. See Artisan.


Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913