artifact

[ ahr-tuh-fakt ]

noun

1. any object made by human beings, especially with a view to subsequent use.
2. a handmade object, as a tool, or the remains of one, as a shard of pottery, characteristic of an earlier time or cultural stage, especially such an object found at an archaeological excavation.
3. any mass-produced, usually inexpensive object reflecting contemporary society or popular culture:

   artifacts of the pop rock generation.

4. a substance or structure not naturally present in the matter being observed but formed by artificial means, as during preparation of a microscope slide.
5. a spurious observation or result arising from preparatory or investigative procedures.
6. any feature that is not naturally present but is a product of an extrinsic agent, method, or the like:

   statistical artifacts that make the inflation rate seem greater than it is.

7. Digital Technology. a visible or audible anomaly introduced in the processing or transmission of digital data: Ghosting artifacts in an MRI are usually the result of patient movement during a scan.

   Your computer might need a new graphics card if you see green pixels where you should not, or other graphics artifacts.

   Ghosting artifacts in an MRI are usually the result of patient movement during a scan.

verb (used with object)

1. Digital Technology. to introduce a visible or audible anomaly in (an image or audio file) during the processing or transmission of digital data: The video appears to be heavily artifacted.

   Compression may artifact your recording with clicking or echoing sounds.

   The video appears to be heavily artifacted.

artifact

/ ˈɑːtɪˌfækt /

noun

1. a variant spelling of artefact

artifact

/ är′tə-făkt′ /

1. An object produced or shaped by human craft, especially a tool, weapon, or ornament of archaeological or historical interest.
2. An artificial product or effect observed in a natural system, especially one introduced by the technology used in scientific investigation or by experimental error.

Other Words From

• ar·ti·fac·tu·al [ahr-t, uh, -, fak, -choo-, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of artifact¹

First recorded in 1815–25; variant of artefact (a spelling first recorded in 1625–50 ) from Latin phrase arte factum “(something) made with skill.” See art ¹, fact

Example Sentences

They hope to estimate minimum ages by directly dating the sediment around these artifacts.

From Science Magazine

The study, based on various types of analyses from an integrated perspective, provides clear evidence regarding both the uses of these artifacts and the nature of the foods processed in them.

From Science Daily

Using carbon-14 dating techniques, researchers confirmed the ages of the tombs, the artifacts, and the writing.

From Science Daily

The team also employs an MR headset to compare 3D scanned ancient pottery sherds with physical ones, aiding in the analysis of inaccessible artifacts displayed in museums.

From Science Daily

However, the Stevens group's system takes a different approach: it detects and processes these noise artifacts using an AI that has been carefully trained to interpret their characteristics as valuable data.

From Science Daily

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