| 释义 |
▪ I. artifice|ˈɑːtɪfɪs|
[a. F. artifice, ad. L. artificium, f. as prec. + -ficium making.]
†1. The action of an artificer, the making of anything by art, construction, workmanship. Obs.
1534Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. xlii. (R.) As ye see a thing made by artifice perishe. 1646Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 312 Though they abounded in Milk, they had not the Artifice of Cheese. Ibid. v. v. (1686) 195 Adam immediately issued from the Artifice of God. a1682― Tracts 4 The early artifice in Brass and Iron under Tubal-Cain.
†b. esp. Mechanic art, artificer's work. Obs.
1667Milton P.L. ix. 39 The skill of Artifice or Office mean.
†2. The product of art, work of art. Obs.
a1652J. Smith Sel. Disc. iii. 52 God himself, the architect and mover of this divine artifice. a1688Cudworth Immut. Morality iv. ii. §13 (1731) 175 The Material Universe, which is the Artifice of God, the Artifice of the best Mechanist.
†b. An artificial substance; a composition. Obs.
1677Moxon Mech. Exerc. (1703) 243, I find two kinds of Artifices used by the Antients, both of which is compounded of Lime and Hogs-grease.
†3. Mode or style of workmanship, artistic fashion. Obs.
1597Morley Introd. Mus. 145 If you marke the artifice of the composition. 1663Charleton Chorea Gigant. 25 As for the Artifice, or manner of Workmanship. 1730A. Gordon Maffei's Amphit. 51 The indifferent Artifice shewn in those two last mentioned Coins. 1756Burke Subl. & B. iii. §7 (1808) 228 Examine..into the artifice of the contrivance.
†4. Constructive skill, ingenuity. Obs.
1646Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. vi. v. (R.) Such as illustrate the artifice of its maker. 1695Bernard Voy. fr. Aleppo in Misc. Cur. (1708) III. 92 Carved with the greatest Artifice and Curiosity. 1777Hume Ess. & Treat. I. 190 Does it not counterwork the artifice of nature?
5. Human skill as opposed to what is natural.
1857H. Reed Lect. Brit. Poets x. II. 24 Restoring nature, where it had been displaced by artifice.
6. Skill in designing and employing expedients; address, cunning, trickery.
1618Sir H. May in Fortesc. Papers 47 Without any temporary ar[tifice] sincere and cordiall. 1628Digby Voy. Medit. 55 Had it not bin by artifice they could neuer haue taken them. 1745De Foe Eng. Tradesm. I. xx. 189 All the artifice and sleight of hand they were masters of. 1790Paley Hor. Paul. i. 2 The consequence of meditation, artifice, and design.
7. An ingenious expedient, a manœuvre, stratagem, device, contrivance, trick. (The ordinary sense now.)
1656Cowley Pind. Odes Wks. 1710 I. 192 It now an Artifice does grow, Wrongs and Outrages to do, Lest men should think we owe. 1660Stanley Hist. Philos. (1701) 276/2 He condemned Rhetorick, as being used rather as an Artifice, than an Art. 1769Junius Lett. xvi. 68 To practise these dishonest artifices. 1865Mill Repr. Govt. 2/1 If they can be deluded by the artifices used to cheat them out of it.
▪ II. † arˈtifice, v. nonce-wd.
[App. f. artifice-r. Cf. artificing.]
To frame or make by art.
1653Brome Damoiselle v. i, And your whole gracefull Presence shall attract, (Beyond affection) admiration: As Ile artifice you. |