MACHINE


Meaning of MACHINE in English

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

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.