articulation
UK: ɑːˌtɪk.jʊˈleɪ.ʃən | US: ɑːrˌtɪk.jʊˈleɪ.ʃən
n. the act of expressing thoughts or ideas clearly
n. the physical production of speech sounds
n. a joint or connection between rigid parts (e.g., bones)
articulation = articul<small joint> + ation<noun suffix>
- articul: From Latin articulus ("small joint, division"), derived from artus ("joint"). In English, it retains the dual sense of physical joints (e.g., bones) and linguistic "joints" (clear divisions in speech).
- ation: A suffix forming nouns denoting action or process (e.g., "communication," "explanation").
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin articulus, a diminutive of artus ("joint"), reflecting how joints divide structures into functional parts. Over time, it expanded metaphorically to describe clarity in speech (dividing ideas into distinct units) and mechanical joints (e.g., in robotics). The suffix -ation standardizes it as a noun of action.
Her articulation of complex theories impressed the audience.
Proper articulation is essential for language learners.
The robot’s arm has 12 points of articulation.
The professor’s articulation made the lecture easy to follow.
Dental issues can affect speech articulation.