articulate

/är-ˈti-kyə-lət/

borrowed from Late Latin articulātus "uttered distinctly, expressed clearly" (as translation of Greek énarthros), past participle of articulāre "to make distinct sounds," going back to Latin, "to divide into distinct parts," derivative of articulus "joint, part of a limb or digit between joints, point of time, clause of a document"

adjective

  1. expressing oneself readily, clearly, and effectively; also : expressed in such a manner

  2. divided into syllables or words meaningfully arranged : intelligible

  3. able to speak

an articulate teacher

an articulate cry/utterance

verb

  1. to give clear and effective utterance to : to put into words

  2. to utter distinctly

  3. to give definition to (something, such as a shape or object)

articulate one's grievances

articulating each note in the musical phrase