artificial

/ˌär-tə-ˈfi-shᵊl/

Middle English, "devised by humans (as opposed to originating naturally or divinely)," borrowed from Middle French & Medieval Latin; Middle French artificiel, borrowed from Medieval Latin artificiālis "produced by human skill, skilled, artistic," going back to Latin, "furnished or contrived by art (in rhetoric)," from artificium "artistry, craftsmanship, craft" + -ālis

adjective

  1. made, produced, or done by humans especially to seem like something natural : man-made

  2. serving to temporarily or permanently supplement or replace a usually vital bodily function or necessary substance (such as nutrients or water)

  3. caused or produced by human actions or methods especially for economic, social, or political aims

an artificial reef

artificial hydration

noun

  1. a gyroscopic flight instrument designed to indicate aircraft attitude with respect to the true horizon

noun

  1. introduction of semen into the uterus or oviduct by other than natural means