~ 1
■ noun
1》 the expression or application of creative skill and imagination, especially through a visual medium such as painting or sculpture.
↘works produced in this way.
2》 ( the ~s ) the various branches of creative activity, such as painting, music, literature, and dance.
3》 ( ~s ) subjects of study primarily concerned with human culture (as contrasted with scientific or technical subjects).
4》 a skill in a specified thing: the ~ of conversation.
Origin
ME: via OFr. from L. ars , ~- .
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~ 2
archaic or dialect second person singular present of be .