machine

I. 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 (machined; machining) 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 • machinability also machineability noun • machinable also machineable adjective