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artfulness

 - 3 dictionary results

art⋅ful

[ahrt-fuhl]
–adjective
1. slyly crafty or cunning; deceitful; tricky: artful schemes.
2. skillful or clever in adapting means to ends; ingenious: an artful choice of metaphors and similes.
3. done with or characterized by art or skill: artful acting; artful repairs.
4. Archaic. artificial.

Origin:
1605–15; art 1 + -ful


art⋅ful⋅ly, adverb
art⋅ful⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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art·ful   (ärt'fəl)   
adj.  
  1. Exhibiting art or skill: "The furniture is an artful blend of antiques and reproductions" (Michael W. Robbins).

  2. Skillful in accomplishing a purpose, especially by the use of cunning or craft.

  3. Artificial.

art'ful·ly adv., art'ful·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

artful 
"skilled in adapting means to ends," 1739, from art (n.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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