Artic
/ˈɑːr.tɪk/noun
A British informal term for an articulated lorry or truck joined by a pivoting section.
Did you know?“Artic” is a clipped form of “articulated,” whose Latin ancestor described something divided into joints, like a finger or limb.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*arǝ-
“To fit together or join; the reconstructed root behind later words for joints and articulation.”
Classical Latin
Latin
artus
“A joint or limb of the body.”
Classical Latin
Latin
articulus
“A small joint; a division or section.”
Late Latin
Latin
articulatus
“Joined or divided into sections.”
16th Century
English
articulated
“Constructed in connected sections or jointed parts.”
20th Century
British English
artic
“Informal shortening of articulated lorry.”
Explore more surprising origins