[art] [ME, fr. OE eart; akin to ON est, ert (thou) art, OE is is] archaic pres 2d sing of be
[2]art n [ME, fr. OF, fr. L art-, ars--more at arm] (13c) 1: skill acquired by experience, study, or observation "the ~ of making friends"
2. a: a branch of learning: (1): one of the humanities (2) pl: liberal arts b archaic: learning, scholarship
3: an occupation requiring knowledge or skill "the ~ of organ building"
4. a: the conscious use of skill and creative imagination esp. in the production of aesthetic objects; also: works so produced b (1): fine arts (2): one of the fine arts (3): a graphic art
5. a archaic: a skillful plan b: the quality or state of being artful
6: decorative or illustrative elements in printed matter syn art, skill, cunning, artifice, craft mean the faculty of executing well what one has devised. art implies a personal, unanalyzable creative power "the art of choosing the right word". skill stresses technical knowledge and proficiency "the skill of a glassblower". cunning suggests ingenuity and subtlety in devising, inventing, or executing "a mystery plotted with great cunning". artifice suggests technical skill esp. in imitating things in nature "believed realism in film could be achieved only by artifice". craft may imply expertness in workmanship "the craft of a master goldsmith".