Artificious

/ɑrtɪˈfɪʃəs/ adjective

Definition

Characterized by artifice; crafty, cunning, or deceptive in a skillful way; made with cleverness or artfulness.

Etymology

From Latin 'artificiosus' (skillfully made, ingenious). An archaic or rare variant emphasizing the cunning and deceptive aspects of 'artifice.'

Kelly Says

The rarity of 'artificious' today is interesting—we mostly use 'artificial' for objects and 'crafty' for people, but this word perfectly captures someone whose cleverness makes them deceptive, like a con artist.

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