/ ˌhiːθ ˈrɒbɪnsən; NAmE ˈrɑːb-/ ( BrE ) ( NAmE ˌRube ˈGold·berg ) adjective
[ only before noun ] ( humorous ) ( of machines and devices ) having a very complicated design, especially when used to perform a very simple task; not practical :
a Heath Robinson contraption
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WORD ORIGIN
early 20th cent.: named after W. Heath Robinson (1872-1944), the English cartoonist and illustrator.