artifact
artifact Lexical Profile
artifact Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An object made by a human being, typically an item of cultural, archaeological, or historical interest.
"The museum's new exhibition features a remarkable bronze artifact unearthed from an ancient Roman settlement."
Something observed in a scientific investigation or experiment that is not naturally present but occurs as an unintended result of the preparative or investigative procedure.
"The researchers concluded that the unusual reading on the scan was merely an artifact caused by patient movement."
A tangible by-product or deliverable produced during the development of software, such as a data model, diagram, or test script.
"The engineering team archived every design artifact before moving on to the deployment phase."
Word Nuance & Usage
Spelled 'artifact' in American English and typically 'artefact' in British and Commonwealth English.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the early 19th century from the Latin phrase 'arte factum', meaning 'something made with skill', from 'ars' (art, skill) and 'facere' (to make).