[f. prec. or on analogy of vbs. so formed. At first articulate was used as its pa. pple. The chronological order of the senses is not the logical, branch II being earlier than I.
I. To joint. (Later sense in English.)
1. trans. To joint, to attach by a joint. (Mostly in pass.)
1616. Surflet & Markh., Countr. Farme, 473. The mouth … which is articulated or close ioined with the shanke.
Mod. The point at which the limb is articulated to the trunk.
2. To joint together, connect by joints, into a series; to mark with apparent joints. (Mostly pass.)
1644. [See ARTICULATED ppl. a. 2.]
1872. Mivart, Anat., 24. The most movable joints are those in which the adjacent bones are articulated on the principle either of a pivot, or of a hinge.
1873. Burton, Hist. Scot., I. ii. 71. They are not articulated into lines of hills.
1879. J. Young, Ceramic Art, 40. A cylindrical Japanese vase in Sutton’s Collection is reticulated, or articulated.
3. intr. (for refl.) To form a joint (with); to unite with by a joint.
1832. Lyell, Princ. Geol., II. 15. The human head does not articulate in the centre of gravity.
1847. Ansted, Anc. World, viii. 168. These latter bones again also articulate with the breast-bone.
1872. Huxley, Phys., vii. 171. The hollow of the cup articulates with a spheroidal surface furnished by the humerus.
4. trans. To divide (vocal sound) into distinct parts (words and syllables) each representing a notion or relation.
1594. T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., II. 87. This instrument fashioneth the voyce, & causeth it to yeeld a sound, & so prepareth it for the tongue, that it may be articulated and framed into speech by ye same.
1615. Crooke, Body of Man, 715. First to articulate the voyce.
1810. Coleridge, Friend, I. xiii. (1867), 57. He amuses himself with articulating the pulses of the air. Ibid. (1817), Biog. Lit., I. 291. Air articulated into nonsense.
5. To pronounce distinctly; to utter, give utterance to; to express in words.
1691. Ray, Creation (1714), 363 (J.). The Muscles of the Os Hyoides, Tongue, Larynx, and Pharynx [of apes], which do most serve to articulate a Word, were wholly like to those of Man.
1772. Porteus, Civ. Negro States, in Tracts, 178 (R.). They must be put into his hands the moment they are capable of articulating their words.
1826. Disraeli, Viv. Grey, II. v. 41. That lady … began to articulate a horrible patois.
1839. Carlyle, Chartism, i. (1858), 5. To interpret and articulate the dumb deep want of the people!
1847. Bushnell, Chr. Nurture, II. ii. (1861), 256. Wrongs which never get articulated.
6. intr. To utter words; to speak distinctly; often, to pronounce.
1642. Milton, Apol. Smect. (1851), 292. Measure a just cadence, and scan without articulating.
1670. Cotton, Espernon, I. IV. 190. He had … so great a weakness in his tongue that he could not articulate.
1788. V. Knox, Winter Even., III. IX. iii. 234. The capricious modes of dressing, articulating and moving.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., II. 356. His agitation was so great that he could not articulate.
II. To article. (The earlier sense in English.)
7. trans. To formulate in an article or articles; to set forth in articles, particularize, specify. ? Obs.
1562. Foxe, A. & M., I. 308/1. Thought good to articulate the foresaid objections … in writing.
1589. Nashe, Almond for Parrat, 18 b. If I articulate all the examples of their absurdeties that I could.
1625. Bp. Mountagu, App. Cæsar., 51. Can you find this … so prescribed in our Church? or articulated unto our Teachers?
† 8. trans. and intr. To charge, bring a charge against. Obs.
1553–87. Foxe, A. & M., III. 356. It was articulate against him that … he did hold [etc.].
1590. Articles, in Fuller, Ch. Hist., IX. vii. § 27 V. 142. We do object and articulate against him, that he … hath forsaken [etc.].
1603. Drayton, Barons Wars, II. lxiv. Gainst whom, at Pomfret, they articulate.
† 9. trans. To arrange by articles or conditions.
1602. Fulbecke, Pandects, 42. Articulating peace with the Albanes.
1676. Bullokar, Articulate, to set down articles or conditions of agreement.
† 10. intr. To come to terms; to capitulate. Obs.
1597. Daniel, Cis. Wares, V. xx. How to articulate with yielding Wightes.
1605. Camden, Rem., 212. The Inhabitants were willing to articulate, and to yeelde themselves to the Duke of Burgundie.
1607. Shaks., Cor., I. ix. 76. Send vs to Rome The best, with whom we may articulate, For their owne good, and ours.
1643. Prynne, Power Parl., III. 57. Those three gods … have thus Articulated, lest upon their intrenching on one anothers jurisdiction, they might make Warre among themselves.
