\Ar"ti*cle\, n. [F., fr. L. articulus, dim. of artus
joint, akin to Gr. ?, fr. a root ar to join, fit. See {Art},
n.]
1. A distinct portion of an instrument, discourse, literary
   work, or any other writing, consisting of two or more
   particulars, or treating of various topics; as, an article
   in the Constitution. Hence: A clause in a contract, system
   of regulations, treaty, or the like; a term, condition, or
   stipulation in a contract; a concise statement; as,
   articles of agreement.
2. A literary composition, forming an independent portion of
   a magazine, newspaper, or cyclopedia.
3. Subject; matter; concern; distinct. [Obs.]
         A very great revolution that happened in this
         article of good breeding.             --Addison.
         This last article will hardly be believed. --De Foe.
4. A distinct part. ``Upon each article of human duty.''
   --Paley. ``Each article of time.'' --Habington.
         The articles which compose the blood. --E. Darwin.
5. A particular one of various things; as, an article of
   merchandise; salt is a necessary article.
         They would fight not for articles of faith, but for
         articles of food.                     --Landor.
6. Precise point of time; moment. [Obs. or Archaic]
         This fatal news coming to Hick's Hall upon the
         article of my Lord Russell's trial, was said to have
         had no little influence on the jury and all the
         bench to his prejudice.               --Evelyn.
7. (Gram.) One of the three words, a, an, the, used before
   nouns to limit or define their application. A (or an) is
   called the indefinite article, the the definite article.
8. (Zo["o]l.) One of the segments of an articulated
   appendage.
{Articles of Confederation}, the compact which was first made
   by the original thirteen States of the United States. They
   were adopted March 1, 1781, and remained the supreme law
   until March, 1789.
{Articles of impeachment}, an instrument which, in cases of
   impeachment, performs the same office which an indictment
   does in a common criminal case.
{Articles of war}, rules and regulations, fixed by law, for
   the better government of the army.
{In the article of death} [L. in articulo mortis], at the
   moment of death; in the dying struggle.
{Lords of the articles} (Scot. Hist.), a standing committee
   of the Scottish Parliament to whom was intrusted the
   drafting and preparation of the acts, or bills for laws.
{The Thirty-nine Articles}, statements (thirty-nine in
   number) of the tenets held by the Church of England.

\Ar"ti*cle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Articled}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Articling}.] [Cf. F. articuler, fr. L. articulare.
See {Article}, n., {Articulate}.]
1. To formulate in articles; to set forth in distinct
   particulars.
         If all his errors and follies were articled against
         him, the man would seem vicious and miserable.
                                               --Jer. Taylor.
2. To accuse or charge by an exhibition of articles.
         He shall be articled against in the high court of
         admiralty.                            --Stat. 33
                                               Geo. III.
3. To bind by articles of covenant or stipulation; as, to
   article an apprentice to a mechanic.

\Ar"ti*cle\, v. i.
To agree by articles; to stipulate; to bargain; to covenant.
[R.]
      Then he articled with her that he should go away when
      he pleased.                              --Selden.