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n. 1. An object produced or shaped by human craft, especially a tool, weapon, or ornament of archaeological or historical interest. 2. Something viewed as a product of human conception or agency rather than an inherent element: "Morality is an artifact of human culture, devised to help us negotiate social relations" (Michael Pollan). 3. A phenomenon or feature not originally present or expected and caused by an interfering external agent, action, or process, as an unwanted feature in a microscopic specimen after fixation, in a digitally reproduced image, or in a digital audio recording. 4. An inaccurate observation, effect, or result, especially one resulting from the technology used in scientific investigation or from experimental error: The apparent pattern in the data was an artifact of the collection method. [Latin arte, ablative of ars, art; see ART1 + factum, something made (from neuter past participle of facere, to make; see dhē- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] ar′ti·factu·al (-făkch-əl) adj. |
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