Artifact Noun

Definition

A linguistic concept holding that nouns referring to man-made objects are defined by their intended design and function rather than their current physical state of completion. Under this theory, an incomplete version of an object can still be called by that object's name if it is clearly designed to serve that function.

Examples

• •Justice Gorsuch's discussion of whether 'frame or receiver' operates as an artifact noun — meaning a nearly-complete frame missing one drilled hole is still legally a 'frame or receiver,' just as an unstrung tennis racket is still a 'tennis racket'

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