I. ärˈtikyələ̇t, ȧˈ- sometimes -ˌlāt; usu -d.+V adjective
Etymology: New Latin articulatus, from Latin, past participle of articulare to divide into joints, utter distinctly, from articulus division, part, joint
1. obsolete : expressed in separate items or particulars
2.
a. : segmented into syllables or especially into words meaningfully arranged : constituting intelligible speech
an articulate cry
b. : possessing the faculty or power of speech
c. : expressing oneself readily : not reserved : not reticent
too articulate to be trusted with a secret
: expressed readily
gratitude is one of the least articulate of the emotions — Survey Graphic
d. : expressing oneself clearly and effectively enough to gain attention ; also : expressed in such a manner
the primitive poet … was used by the community to make its spiritual needs articulate — C.D.Lewis
3.
a. : jointed on : consisting of segments united by joints : jointed
articulate animals
articulate plants
b. : distinctly marked off : formulated in clearly distinguished parts : distinct
an articulate period of history
the way in which an articulate system blinds the thinker — Irwin Edman
Synonyms: see vocal
II. -ˌlāt, usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to draw up or write in separate articles : specify , particularize
2.
a.
(1) : to make (the breath stream) articulate
speech is articulated air
(2) : to pronounce distinctly (a syllable, word, or speech sound)
b. : to give clear and effective utterance to
articulate the dumb, deep want of the people — Thomas Carlyle
3.
a.
(1) : to unite by means of a joint : put together with joints or at the joints
articulated mastodon remains — Journal of Geology
(2) : to joint together permanently or semipermanently by means of a pivot connection for operating separate forms, frames, or segments as a unit
articulated locomotive
articulated railroad car
b. : to form or fit into a systematically related whole : interrelate systematically : coordinate coherently
the high schools have been articulated with the state university
the problem is to articulate the ideas — E.D.Canham
4. : to arrange (artificial teeth) on an articulator
intransitive verb
1. obsolete : to make or come to terms
2.
a. : to utter articulate sounds or utter intelligible speech : speak distinctly
too frightened to articulate
b. : to manipulate the vocal organs so as to produce a speech sound
3.
a. : to become jointed : become united or connected by means of a joint
bones that articulate with each other
b. : to be united or connected in a systematic interrelation
at the beginning of the 19th century there were a number of school units in existence, none of which articulated with the others — J.D.Russell & C.H.Judd
III. -_lə̇t, -ˌlāt, usu -d.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: New Latin Articulata
: one of the Articulata