I. mə-ˈshēn noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle French, from Latin machina, from Greek mēchanē (Doric dialect machana ), from mēchos means, expedient — more at may
Date: circa 1545
1.
a. archaic : a constructed thing whether material or immaterial
b. : conveyance , vehicle ; especially : automobile
c. archaic : a military engine
d. : any of various apparatuses formerly used to produce stage effects
e.
(1) : an assemblage of parts that transmit forces, motion, and energy one to another in a predetermined manner
(2) : an instrument (as a lever) designed to transmit or modify the application of power, force, or motion
f. : a mechanically, electrically, or electronically operated device for performing a task
g. : a coin-operated device
a cigarette machine
h. : machinery — used with the or in plural
2.
a. : a living organism or one of its functional systems
b. : one that resembles a machine (as in being methodical, tireless, or consistently productive)
a gifted publicist and quote machine — John Lancaster
c.
(1) : a combination of persons acting together for a common end along with the agencies they use
(2) : a highly organized political group under the leadership of a boss or small clique
3. : a literary device or contrivance introduced for dramatic effect
II. transitive verb
( ma·chined ; ma·chin·ing )
Date: 1853
: to process by or as if by machine ; especially : to reduce or finish by or as if by turning, shaping, planing, or milling by machine-operated tools
• ma·chin·abil·i·ty also ma·chine·abil·i·ty -ˌshē-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē noun
• ma·chin·able also ma·chine·able -ˈshē-nə-bəl adjective