Articulate. say that word, pronounce it slowly and clearly
Doesn't it sound like when you snap a brittle piece of toffee?  The 'tic' part sounds so fresh and sharp, if articulate was a thing, it would be a little pricking pin.

Now try saying definition. this word, is almost the opposite of articulate.
it's fuzzy, especially the 'it'. It's almost like a sleepy word, like the person who created that word was half asleep at the time... :) if definition was a thing, it would be a big, uber soft pillow to sink your head in.

Now you try it. Say a word, and listen to it, say the word over and over again, slowly and clearly. What does it sound like?