n. 1 a painter. 2 a person who practises any of the arts. 3 an artiste. 4 a person who works with the dedication and attributes associated with an artist (an artist in crime). 5 colloq. a devotee; a habitual practiser of a specified (usu. reprehensible) activity (con artist). artistry n.
[ F artiste f. It. artista (as ART(1), -IST) ]