artefact

/ ˈɑːtɪˌfækt /

noun

1. something made or given shape by man, such as a tool or a work of art, esp an object of archaeological interest

2. anything man-made, such as a spurious experimental result

3. cytology a structure seen in tissue after death, fixation, staining, etc, that is not normally present in the living tissue

Word History and Origins

Origin of artefact¹

C19: from Latin phrase arte factum, from ars skill + facere to make

Example Sentences

Twelve historical artefacts have been formally returned to Ethiopia after being kept by a German family for more than 100 years.

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Many of the artefacts scheduled to be auctioned were said to have come from the Buchenwald and Auschwitz concentration camps.

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The statement adds that the artefacts "bear witness to the history of the encounter between faith and the cultures of the indigenous peoples".

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The watch is set to become one of the most expensive Titanic artefacts ever sold.

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"Roman foot-shaped artefacts appear to have had a number of meanings connected with the cult of Isis. They're also noted as being novelty items."

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