artificial definition - Dictionary

Dictionary

Thesaurus

Translations

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

artificial insemination

artificial intelligence

See pronunciation key

Search for "artifici..." in all of MSN Encarta

E-mail this entry

Blog about this entry on MSN Spaces

Download the MSN Encarta Right-Click Dictionary

artificial

ar·ti·fi·cial [ rtə físh'l ]

adjective

Definition:

1. made by humans: made by human beings rather than occurring naturally

2. synthetic: made in imitation of something natural

3. insincere: without sincerity or spontaneity

an artificial smile

4. created by culture: produced as a result of political or cultural forces

artificial barriers to promotion

[14th century. Directly or via French< Latin artificialis< artificium "craft, cunning" (see artifice)]

ar·ti·fi·ci·al·i·ty [ rtəfishee állətee ] noun

ar·ti·fi·cial·ly [ rtə físhəlee ] adverb

Also on Encarta

•	Important Notice: MSN Encarta to be discontinued. Learn more.

•	10 tips for building your English vocabulary

•	Alternatives to the M.B.A.

•	GPS for students

•	Making the right college choice

•	Presidential Myths Quiz

•

Coffee break: Recharge your brain

Our Partners

•	ApplyWise Online College Admissions Counseling

•	The Princeton Review

•

Tutor.com: Live Help When You Get Stuck

Also on MSN

•	Peek into the world of parasites on Animal Planet

•	Mom's Homeroom: Learn ways to help your kid succeed in school

•	MSN Shopping: Best books for the season

•	MSN Careers: Nail that job interview

•

Today's news on MSNBC


Shopping