Tools, Machines & Construction

trench C2

/tɹɛnt͡ʃ/ a long, narrow ditch dug in the ground M S

derrick C2

/ˈdɛrɪk/ a crane with a movable boom, especially one used aboard a ship or at a construction site M S

spade C2

/speɪ̯d/ a digging tool with a flat blade and a handle M S

bowie C2

/ˈbuːi/ a Bowie knife: a large, heavy, single-edged sheath knife with a clipped point M S

barrow C2

/ˈbæɹoʊ/ a small handcart used for carrying loads M S

hoop C2

/huːp/ a rigid circular or curved band of metal, wood, or another material, used for holding, fastening, hanging, or forming a framework M S

machete C2

/məˈʃɛ.ti/ a large heavy knife used for cutting vegetation or as a weapon M S

armory C2

/ˈɑːrmɝi/ A building where weapons and military equipment are stored. M S

contraption C2

/kənˈtræpʃən/ A strange or overly complicated machine or device. M S

dredge C2

/drɛdʒ/ to remove mud, sand, or other material from the bottom of a body of water with a dredge M S

weir C2

/wɪɹ/ a low dam built across a stream or river to raise the water level, regulate it, or divert its flow M S

sickle C2

/ˈsɪkəl/ a short-handled agricultural tool with a curved blade, used for cutting grain or grass M S

axle C2

/ˈæk.səl/ a shaft or pin on which a wheel or other rotating part turns M S

harpoon C2

/hɑːrˈpuːn/ a heavy spear with a barbed head, usually attached to a line, thrown or fired to catch whales and other large aquatic animals M S

periscope C2

/ˈpɛɹɪskəʊp/ an optical instrument that provides a view of an otherwise obstructed field M S

ligature C2

/ˈlɪɡ.ə.tʃɚ/ a cord, band, or other fastening used to bind things together M S

blowtorch C2

/ˈbloʊˌtɔɹtʃ/ a portable burner that produces a very hot, concentrated flame by mixing fuel gas with air or oxygen M S

sledgehammer C2

/ˈslɛd͡ʒhæmɚ/ a large, heavy hammer with a long handle, used for powerful blows in demolition or construction M S

gazebo C2

/ɡəˈziːboʊ/ a small roofed building affording shade and rest M S

megaphone C2

/ˈmɛɡəˌfoʊn/ a cone-shaped acoustic device held to the mouth to intensify and direct the human voice M S

gargoyle C2

/ˈɡɑrɡɔɪl/ a grotesquely carved waterspout that carries rainwater away from a building M S

sluice C2

/sluːs/ an artificial channel or gate that controls a rapid flow of water M S

sieve C2

/sɪv/ a utensil with a mesh or perforated bottom used to separate fine particles from coarse ones M S

smithy C2

/ˈsmɪði/ a workshop where a smith heats, shapes, and repairs metal; a forge M S

gasket C2

/ˈɡæs.kɪt/ any mechanical seal that serves to fill the space between two objects, generally to prevent leakage between the two objects while under compression. M S

watchtower C2

/ˈwɑːtʃˌtaʊər/ a tower from which a lookout watches for danger, fire, escape, or approaching people M S

turret C2

/ˈtɝ.ɪt/ A small tower on a building or castle, often at a corner. M S

belvedere C2

/ˈbɛl.vəˌdɪr/ a raised room, turret, pavilion, or other structure designed to command a fine view M S

siphon C2

/ˈsaɪ.fən/ a bent tube used to move liquid from a higher container to a lower one through continuous flow M S

waterworks C2

/ˈwɑːt̬ɚwɝːks/ a system of reservoirs, treatment facilities, pumps, and pipes that supplies water to a community M S

palazzo C2

/pəˈlɑːt.soʊ/ an imposing urban residence or public building in Italy, especially one of historical or architectural importance M S

excavator C2

/ˈɛkskəˌveɪtɚ/ a large powered machine with a boom and bucket, used for digging and moving earth M S

millstone C2

/ˈmɪl.stoʊn/ one of a pair of large circular stones used for grinding grain M S

pneumatic C2

/nuˈmætɪk/ operated by compressed air or another gas M S

truss C2

/tɹʊs/ a rigid framework of connected beams that supports a roof, bridge, or other structure M S

stave C2

/steɪv/ one of the narrow strips of wood or metal fitted edge to edge to form a barrel or similar structure M S

spire C2

/ˈspaɪ.ɚ/ A tall, pointed structure on top of a tower or church roof. M S

backboard C2

/ˈbækˌbɔrd/ a rigid board used to support or straighten a person's back, historically as a posture-training device M S

grater C2

/ˈɡɹeɪtɚ/ a kitchen tool with a rough or perforated cutting surface used to shred food into small pieces M S

pickaxe C2

/ˈpɪkˌæks/ a heavy tool with a long handle and a pointed metal head, used for breaking hard ground or rock M S

needlepoint C2

/ˈniːdl̩ˌpɔɪnt/ a sharp point resembling the tip of a needle M S

condenser C2

/ˈkʰəndɛnsɚ/ an apparatus that converts vapor into liquid M S

dado C2

/ˈdeɪdoʊ/ the lower part of an interior wall when it is decorated or finished differently from the area above it M S

flange C2

/flændʒ/ a projecting rim, rib, or collar on a pipe, wheel, beam, or other component, used for strength, guidance, or attachment M S

linchpin C2

/ˈlɪnt͡ʃˌpɪn/ a person or thing essential to the stability or success of a system or plan M S

scraper C2

/ˈskreɪpɚ/ a tool, blade, or implement used to remove material by scraping M S

culvert C2

/ˈkʌlvɚt/ a covered channel or pipe that carries water beneath a road, railway, or embankment M S

gimlet C2

/ˈɡɪmlət/ a small hand tool with a screw-shaped point, used for boring holes in wood M S

spyglass C2

/ˈspaɪˌɡlæs/ a small portable telescope, especially a collapsible refracting telescope used at sea M S

superstructure C2

/ˈsuːpɚˌstɹʌktʃɚ/ a structure, system, or set of ideas built upon an underlying foundation or basis M S

jackknife C2

/ˈdʒækˌnaɪf/ a large pocketknife whose blade folds into the handle M S

brazier C2

/ˈbɹeɪʒəɹ/ large metal container in which coal or charcoal is burned M S

postern C2

/ˈpoʊstɚn/ a back, side, or private entrance, especially a small gate in a fortification M S

breakwater C2

/ˈbreɪkˌwɔtɚ/ a barrier built offshore or at a harbor entrance to reduce the force of waves and protect the water or coast behind it M S

metalwork C2

/ˈmɛtəlˌwɝk/ objects, fittings, or structural parts made of metal M S

flagstone C2

/ˈflæɡˌstoʊn/ a broad, flat slab of stone used for paving paths, floors, or roofs M S

caulk C2

/kɔk/ to fill and seal a seam, crack, or joint so that air or water cannot pass through M S

strop C2

/stɹɑp/ sharpen on a strop M S

seismograph C2

/ˈsaɪz.mə.ɡɹæf/ an instrument that automatically detects and records the intensity, direction and duration of earthquakes and similar events. M S

frontage C2

/ˈfɹʌn.tɪd͡ʒ/ the face or front of a building M S

colonnade C2

/ˌkɒləˈneɪd/ a row of regularly spaced columns supporting a roof or entablature M S

pinion C2

/ˈpɪnjən/ the smaller of two meshing gears, or a small gear that engages with a rack M S

brickwork C2

/ˈbrɪkwɝːk/ bricks set in mortar as part of a wall or building; masonry made from bricks M S

cornice C2

/ˈkoɹnɪs/ a horizontal moulded projection that crowns a building, wall, or classical entablature M S

cupola C2

/ˈkuːpələ/ a small dome or domed structure built on top of a roof M S

bevel C2

/ˈbɛvəl/ a sloping edge or surface cut at an angle other than a right angle M S

loggia C2

/ˈloʊdʒə/ a roofed gallery or corridor that is open to the air on one or more sides, often along an upper story of a building M S

bodkin C2

/ˈbɑːdkɪn/ a blunt, large-eyed needle used to pull cord or ribbon through a hem or casing M S

whetstone C2

/ˈwɛtˌstoʊn/ a flat stone or bonded abrasive used to sharpen the edge of a knife or tool M S

stanchion C2

/ˈstæn.tʃən/ an upright post, pole, or bar used to support a structure or form part of a barrier M S

parti C2

/pɑrˈtiː/ the central concept or organizing scheme of an architectural design, often expressed in a simple diagram M S

gimbal C2

/ˈd͡ʒɪmbəl/ a device for suspending something, such as a ship's compass, so that it will remain level when its support is tipped. M S

collet C2

/ˈkɑlɪt/ a slotted, tapered sleeve that closes around a tool or workpiece to hold it firmly in a machine M S

capstan C2

/ˈkæpstən/ a vertical revolving cylinder used to wind a rope or cable and exert heavy pulling force, especially aboard a ship M S

blowpipe C2

/ˈbloʊˌpaɪp/ a narrow tube used to direct air or gas into a flame, concentrating its heat for chemical tests, metalwork, or mineral analysis M S

jamb C2

/dʒæm/ either vertical side of a doorway, window, fireplace, or other opening in a wall M S

mullion C2

/ˈmʌl.jən/ a slender upright bar that divides adjacent panes or sections of a window, door, or screen M S

mortise C2

/ˈmɔrtɪs/ a rectangular cavity cut in one piece of material to receive a matching tenon and form a joint M S

apse C2

/æps/ a semicircular or polygonal recess in a building, especially the vaulted eastern end of a church behind the altar M S

campanile C2

/ˌkæm.pəˈniː.li/ a bell tower, especially a freestanding Italian bell tower beside a church or public building M S

bolas C2

/ˈboʊ.ləs/ a throwing weapon of connected cords and weights that entangles an animal's legs M S

abutment C2

/əˈbʌt.mn̩t/ a solid structure that supports the end or resists the outward thrust of a bridge, arch, dam, or similar construction M S

mattock C2

/ˈmætək/ a heavy digging tool with a horizontal blade, often paired with a pick or axe blade on the other end M S

hasp C2

/hæsp/ a hinged metal strap that fits over a staple and is secured by a pin or padlock M S

windlass C2

/ˈwɪndləs/ a machine with a horizontal or vertical rotating drum around which a rope or chain is wound to raise or haul heavy loads, especially a ship's anchor M S

puncheon C2

/ˈpʌntʃən/ US historical: a split log or heavy slab smoothed on one face and used especially for flooring M S

tenon C2

/ˈtɛnən/ a projecting piece cut at the end of a length of wood and shaped to fit into a corresponding mortise to form a joint M S

clapboard C2

/ˈklæpˌbɔɹd/ a long narrow siding board, usually thinner at one edge, laid horizontally so that each board overlaps the one below M S

ironmongery C2

/ˈaɪrnˌmʌŋ.ɡɚ.i/ tools, metal fittings, and other hardware sold for use in homes, gardens, or buildings M S

earthwork C2

/ˈɝθˌwɝk/ a structure made from piled or shaped earth, especially an embankment or defensive rampart M S

parer C2

/ˈpɛr.ɚ/ a tool used to remove a thin outer layer from fruit, vegetables, or another object M S

repeller C2

/rɪˈpɛlər/ a person, substance, device, or force that repels something or drives it away M S

sidelight C2

/ˈsaɪdˌlaɪt/ a small light fitted at the side of a vehicle or the red or green navigation light on a vessel M S

actuate C2

/ˈæk.tʃuˌeɪt/ engineering: to cause a machine or mechanism to operate or move M S

crupper C2

/ˈkrʌpər/ a strap or loop passing under a horse's tail to prevent a saddle or harness from sliding forward M S

whipsaw C2

/ˈwɪpˌsɔ/ a long narrow saw, commonly worked by two people using a handle at each end M S