Emily Dickinson Lexicon

ART-IF'I-CER, n. [L. artifex, from ars, and facio.]

1. An artist; a mechanic or manufacturer; one whose occupation requires skill or knowledge of a particular kind; as, a silversmith or saddler.
2. One who makes or contrives; an inventor; as, an artificer of fraud or lies. – Milton.
3. A cunning, or artful fellow. [Not used.] Ben Jonson.