1. [n]  one of a class of artifacts; "an article of clothing"
2. [n]  nonfictional prose forming an independent part of a publication
3. [n]  (grammar) a determiner that may indicate the specificity of reference of a noun phrase
4. [n]  a separate section of a legal document (as a statute or contract or will)
5. [v]  bind by a contract; esp. for a training period

ARTICLE is a 7 letter word that starts with A.

1. \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.
   

2. \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.
   

3. \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.