machine

ma·chine (m

-sh

)

a. A device consisting of fixed and moving parts that modifies mechanical energy and transmits it in a more useful form.

b. A simple device, such as a lever, a pulley, or an inclined plane, that alters the magnitude or direction, or both, of an applied force; a simple machine.

2. A system or device for doing work, as an automobile or a jackhammer, together with its power source and auxiliary equipment.

3. A system or device, such as a computer, that performs or assists in the performance of a human task: The machine is down.

4. An intricate natural system or organism, such as the human body.

5. A person who acts in a rigid, mechanical, or unconscious manner.

6. An organized group of people whose members are or appear to be under the control of one or more leaders: a political machine.

a. A device used to produce a stage effect, especially a mechanical means of lowering an actor onto the stage.

b. A literary device used to produce an effect, especially the introduction of a supernatural being to resolve a plot.

8. An answering machine: Leave a message on my machine if I'm not home.

adj.

Of, relating to, or felt to resemble a machine: machine repairs; machine politics.

v. ma·chined, ma·chin·ing, ma·chines

v.tr.

To cut, shape, or finish by machine.

v.intr.

To be cut, shaped, or finished by machine: This metal machines easily.

[French, from Old French, from Latin mchina, from Greek mkhan, dialectal variant of mkhan; see magh- in Indo-European roots.]

ma·china·ble adj.

ma·chineless adj.

machine

Noun

1. an assembly of components arranged so as to perform a particular task and usually powered by electricity

2. a vehicle, such as a car or aircraft

3. a system within an organization that controls activities and policies: the party machine

Verb

[-chining, -chined]

to shape, cut, or make something using a machine [Latin machina]

machinable adj

machine (m

-sh

)

A device that applies force, changes the direction of a force, or changes the strength of a force, in order to perform a task, generally involving work done on a load. Machines are often designed to yield a high mechanical advantage to reduce the effort needed to do that work.

A simple machine is a wheel, a lever, or an inclined plane. All other machines can be built using combinations of these simple machines; for example, a drill uses a combination of gears (wheels) to drive helical inclined planes (the drill-bit) to split a material and carve a hole in it.

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun	1.	machine - any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks assembly - a group of machine parts that fit together to form a self-contained unit bagger - a machine for putting objects or substances into bags calculating machine, calculator - a small machine that is used for mathematical calculations calender - a machine that smooths or glazes paper or cloth by pressing it between plates or passing it through rollers automated teller, automated teller machine, automatic teller, automatic teller machine, cash dispenser, cash machine, ATM - an unattended machine (outside some banks) that dispenses money when a personal coded card is used comber - a machine that separates and straightens the fibers of cotton or wool computer, computing device, computing machine, data processor, electronic computer, information processing system - a machine for performing calculations automatically cement mixer, concrete mixer - a machine with a large revolving drum in which cement is mixed with other materials to make concrete corker - a machine that is used to put corks in bottles cotton gin, gin - a machine that separates the seeds from raw cotton fibers decoder - a machine that converts a coded text into ordinary language device - an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose; "the device is small enough to wear on your wrist"; "a device intended to conserve water" farm machine - a machine used in farming franking machine - a machine that automatically stamps letters or packages passing through it and computes the total charge hop-picker, hopper - a machine used for picking hops machinery - machines or machine systems collectively machine tool - a powered machine for cutting or shaping or finishing metals or other materials milking machine - machine consisting of a suction apparatus for milking cows mechanically motor - machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion paving machine, pavior, paviour - a machine for laying pavement perpetual motion machine - a machine that can continue to do work indefinitely without drawing energy from some external source; impossible under the law of conservation of energy pile driver - a machine that drives piling into the ground power shovel, digger, excavator, shovel - a machine for excavating power tool - a tool driven by a motor mechanical press, press - any machine that exerts pressure to form or shape or cut materials or extract liquids or compress solids printing press, press - a machine used for printing printing machine, printer - a machine that prints phonograph, record player - machine in which rotating records cause a stylus to vibrate and the vibrations are amplified acoustically or electronically riveting machine, rivetter, riveter - a machine for driving rivets self-feeder, feeder - a machine that automatically provides a supply of some material; "the feeder discharged feed into a trough for the livestock" simulator - a machine that simulates an environment for the purpose of training or research slicer - a machine for cutting; usually with a revolving blade coin machine, slot machine - a machine that is operated by the insertion of a coin in a slot snow blower, snow thrower - a machine that removes snow by scooping it up and throwing it forcefully through a chute sorter - a machine for sorting things (such as punched cards or letters) into classes pestle, stamp - machine consisting of a heavy bar that moves vertically for pounding or crushing ores staple gun, staplegun, tacker - a hand-held machine for driving staples home stapler, stapling machine - a machine that inserts staples into sheets of paper in order to fasten them together textile machine - a machine for making textiles
	2.	machine - an efficient person; "the boxer was a magnificent fighting machine" individual, mortal, person, somebody, someone, soul - a human being; "there was too much for one person to do" bionic man, bionic woman, cyborg - a human being whose body has been taken over in whole or in part by electromechanical devices; "a cyborg is a cybernetic organism"
	3.	machine - an intricate organization that accomplishes its goals efficiently; "the war machine" organization, organisation - a group of people who work together
	4.	machine - a device for overcoming resistance at one point by applying force at some other point simple machine inclined plane - a simple machine for elevating objects; consists of plane surface that makes an acute angle with the horizontal lever - a simple machine that gives a mechanical advantage when given a fulcrum mechanical device - mechanism consisting of a device that works on mechanical principles pulley, pulley block, pulley-block, block - a simple machine consisting of a wheel with a groove in which a rope can run to change the direction or point of application of a force applied to the rope wheel - a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)
	5.	machine - a group that controls the activities of a political party; "he was endorsed by the Democratic machine" political machine organization, organisation - a group of people who work together
	6.	machine - a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine; "he needs a car to get to work" auto, automobile, car, motorcar renting, rental - the act of paying for the use of something (as an apartment or house or car) accelerator, accelerator pedal, gas pedal, throttle, gas, gun - a pedal that controls the throttle valve; "he stepped on the gas" air bag - a safety restraint in an automobile; the bag inflates on collision and prevents the driver or passenger from being thrown forward alternator - an old term for an electric generator that produces alternating current (especially in automobiles) ambulance - a vehicle that takes people to and from hospitals auto accessory - an accessory for an automobile automobile engine - the engine that propels an automobile automobile horn, car horn, motor horn, hooter, horn - a device on an automobile for making a warning noise backseat - a seat at the back of a vehicle (especially the seat at the back of an automobile) beach waggon, beach wagon, estate car, station waggon, station wagon, waggon, wagon - a car that has a long body and rear door with space behind rear seat fender, buffer - a cushion-like device that reduces shock due to an impact bumper - a mechanical device consisting of bars at either end of a vehicle to absorb shock and prevent serious damage jalopy, heap, bus - a car that is old and unreliable; "the fenders had fallen off that old bus" taxi, taxicab, cab, hack - a car driven by a person whose job is to take passengers where they want to go in exchange for money car door - the door of a car car mirror - a mirror that the driver of a car can use car seat - a seat in a car car window - a window in a car compact car, compact - a small and economical car convertible - a car that has top that can be folded or removed coupe - a car with two doors and front seats and a luggage compartment cruiser, patrol car, police car, police cruiser, prowl car, squad car - a car in which policemen cruise the streets; equipped with radiotelephonic communications to headquarters electric, electric automobile, electric car - a car that is powered by electricity fender, wing - a barrier that surrounds the wheels of a vehicle to block splashing water or mud; "in Britain they call a fender a wing" first gear, low gear, low, first - the lowest forward gear ratio in the gear box of a motor vehicle; used to start a car moving floorboard - the floor of an automobile gas guzzler - a car with relatively low fuel efficiency gasoline engine, petrol engine - an internal-combustion engine that burns gasoline; most automobiles are driven by gasoline engines glove compartment - compartment on the dashboard of a car radiator grille, grille - grating that admits cooling air to car's radiator hardtop - a car that resembles a convertible but has a fixed rigid top hatchback - a car having a hatchback door high gear, high - a forward gear with a gear ratio that gives the greatest vehicle velocity for a given engine speed cowl, cowling, bonnet, hood - protective covering consisting of a metal part that covers the engine; "there are powerful engines under the hoods of new cars"; "the mechanic removed the cowling in order to repair the plane's engine" horseless carriage - an early term for an automobile; "when automobiles first replaced horse-drawn carriages they were called horseless carriages" hot rod, hot-rod - a car modified to increase its speed and acceleration jeep, landrover - a car suitable for traveling over rough terrain limo, limousine - large luxurious car; usually driven by a chauffeur loaner - a car that is lent as a replacement for one that is under repair
Verb	1.	machine - turn, shape, mold, or otherwise finish by machinery shape, mould, mold, form, forge, work - make something, usually for a specific function; "She molded the rice balls carefully"; "Form cylinders from the dough"; "shape a figure"; "Work the metal into a sword"
	2.	machine - make by machinery; "The Americans were machining while others still hand-made cars" produce, create, make - create or manufacture a man-made product; "We produce more cars than we can sell"; "The company has been making toys for two centuries"