Artificer, n.
Etymology: [Cf. F. artificier, fr. LL. artificiarius.]
1. An artistic worker; a mechanic or manufacturer; one whose occupation requires skill or knowledge of a particular kind, as a silversmith.
2. One who makes or contrives; a deviser, inventor, or framer. "Artificer of fraud." Milton. The great Artificer of all that moves. Cowper.
3. A cunning or artful fellow. [Obs.] B. Jonson.
4. (Mil.)
2 more senses
A military mechanic, as a blacksmith, carpenter, etc.; also, one who prepares the shells, fuses, grenades, etc., in a military laboratory.
Syn. -- Artisan; artist. See Artisan.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for artificer; he lists it under artist.
Where he writes about it:
Artist, artificer and artisan are all from the root of art, but artist holds to the esthetic sense, while artificer and artisan follow the mechanical or industrial sense of the word (see ART under science). — from artist
The artificer is between the two, putting more thought, intelligence, and taste into his work than the artisan, but less of the idealizing, creative power than the artist. — from artist
The sculptor, shaping his model in clay, is artificer, as well as artist; patient artisans, working simply by rule and scale, chisel and polish the stone. — from artist
The man whose work involves thought, skill, and constructive power is an artificer. — from artist
The hod-carrier is a laborer; the bricklayer is a mechanic; the master mason is an artificer. — from artist