Words / B2

AHT-if-akt/ˈɑːtɪfækt/

An artefact is an object made by a human, especially one of historical interest (British spelling; US artifact): a Bronze Age artefact; a museum artefact. In science, an artefact can be a false result caused by the method. Relic and find are close twins in archaeology; object is everyday. Date the artefact in the museum catalogue, then the material. Mix-up: artefact vs art fact as two words; article (already in the dictionary); do not write artefact for a natural fossil unless the source says it was worked.

Meaning

An object made by a human, especially one of historical interest (British spelling; US artifact).

Examples

• “Date the artefact in the museum catalogue, then the material, the history paper said.”
• “A methodological artefact featured in the results, which is the false-signal sense — still name the control.”

Good to know

a museum / Bronze Age artefact; UK spelling artefact (US artifact). Close: relic / find. Science: a method artefact. Trap: article / a natural unworked fossil. History and science. A human-made object, or a false result — date the catalogue or name the control.

Near in meaning

relic, find, object

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