Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Artist \Art"ist\, n. [F. artiste, LL. artista, fr. L. ars. See
   {Art}, n., and cf. {Artiste}.]
   1. One who practices some mechanic art or craft; an artisan.
      [Obs.]

            How to build ships, and dreadful ordnance cast,
            Instruct the articles and reward their. --Waller.

   2. One who professes and practices an art in which science
      and taste preside over the manual execution.

   Note: The term is particularly applied to painters,
         sculptors, musicians, engravers, and architects.
         --Elmes.

   3. One who shows trained skill or rare taste in any manual
      art or occupation. --Pope.

   4. An artful person; a schemer. [Obs.]

   Syn: Artisan. See {Artisan}.

Source : WordNet®

artist
     n : a person whose creative work shows sensitivity and
         imagination [syn: {creative person}]