artifact
To introduce unintended distortions, anomalies, or artificial features into digital media or scientific data, typically during processing, compression, or transmission. It describes the act of creating glitches or false information that does not exist in the original source.
Examples
3 of 5The video stream began to artifact heavily when the bandwidth dropped below 1 Mbps.
The video began to show visual glitches and pixelation when the internet speed slowed down.
It is crucial that the image processing algorithm does not artifact the medical scans, as this could lead to a misdiagnosis.
It is very important that the software does not create false visual errors in the medical images to avoid mistakes.
Is your screen artifacting? I see weird green squares appearing all over the display.
Is your screen showing visual errors? I see strange green boxes on your monitor.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of an 'Artificial Fact'—it's something that looks like a fact in the data but was 'art-ificially' created by a technical glitch.
Quick Quiz
The video began to _______ noticeably when the signal strength fluctuated.
Correct!
The correct answer is: artifact
Examples
The video stream began to artifact heavily when the bandwidth dropped below 1 Mbps.
everydayThe video began to show visual glitches and pixelation when the internet speed slowed down.
It is crucial that the image processing algorithm does not artifact the medical scans, as this could lead to a misdiagnosis.
formalIt is very important that the software does not create false visual errors in the medical images to avoid mistakes.
Is your screen artifacting? I see weird green squares appearing all over the display.
informalIs your screen showing visual errors? I see strange green boxes on your monitor.
If the sample is not prepared correctly, the electron microscope may artifact the biological structures.
academicIf the sample isn't ready, the microscope might create false features in the biological parts being studied.
The low-quality compression used in the prototype started to artifact the company logo during the demo.
businessThe cheap compression method made the company logo look distorted during the presentation.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
artifacting errors
technical glitches appearing in data
artifact-free
without any technical distortions or glitches
visual artifacting
the appearance of glitches on a screen
Often Confused With
Artificial is an adjective meaning man-made, whereas artifacting is the verb for creating unintended technical errors.
Usage Notes
The verb 'artifact' is primarily used in technical contexts such as computer graphics, data science, and signal processing. In general English, 'artifact' is almost exclusively used as a noun meaning a historical object.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use the verb to mean 'to create a historical object,' but it specifically refers to the creation of unintended technical distortions.
Memory Tip
Think of an 'Artificial Fact'—it's something that looks like a fact in the data but was 'art-ificially' created by a technical glitch.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'arte' (by skill) and 'factum' (thing made), originally referring to man-made objects.
Grammar Patterns
Quick Quiz
The video began to _______ noticeably when the signal strength fluctuated.
Correct!
The correct answer is: artifact
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