machine
A1Meanings
-
1
noun
a group that controls the activities of a political party
I was endorsed by the Democratic machine.
-
2
noun
an intricate organization that accomplishes its goals efficiently
the war machine
-
3
noun
an efficient person
the boxer was a magnificent fighting machine
-
4
noun
A device that directs and controls energy, often in the form of movement or electricity, to produce a certain effect.
An artificial kidney these days still means a refrigerator-sized dialysis machine. Such devices mimic the way real kidneys cleanse blood and eject impurities and surplus water as urine.
-
5
noun
A vehicle operated mechanically, such as an automobile or an airplane.
As he stood directly beneath a brilliant arc light, waiting for a limousine that was approaching to pass him, he heard his name called in a sweet feminine voice. Looking up, he met the smiling eyes of Olga de Coude as she leaned forward upon the back seat of the machine. He bowed very low in response to her friendly greeting. When he straightened up the machine had borne her away.
-
6
noun
An answering machine or, by extension, voice mail.
I called you earlier, but all I got was the machine.
-
7
noun
A computer.
Game developers assume they're pushing the limits of the machine.
-
8
noun
A person or organisation that seemingly acts like a machine, being particularly efficient, single-minded, or unemotional.
Bruce Campbell was a "demon-killing machine" because he made quick work of killing demons.
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *megʰ-der.? Doric Greek μηχᾰνή (mēkhănḗ) Doric Greek μᾱχᾰνᾱ́ (mākhănā́)bor. Latin māchinabor. Middle French machinebor. English machine Borrowed from Middle French machine, from Latin māchina (“a machine, engine, contrivance, device, stratagem, trick”), from Doric Greek μᾱχᾰνᾱ́ (mākhănā́), cognate with Attic Greek μηχᾰνή (mēkhănḗ, “a machine, engine, contrivance, device”), from which comes mechanical. Displaced native Old English searu.
View etymology graph →