machine
Other forms: machines; machined; machining
At its simplest, a machine is an invention that does a job better and faster and more powerfully than a human being.
Despite being man-made we’ve come to think of the word machine as the very opposite of human. The Machine Age we live in is considered impersonal and overwhelming, and anything machine-like is often considered soulless or even dangerous. (Witness the countless fantasies of robots taking over the world.) Human beings working together, like "the cogs of a machine," can become more powerful than a single person. That's why sports teams or political organizations are often described as "well-oiled machines."
Definitions of machine
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any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
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types:
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assembly
a group of machine parts that fit together to form a self-contained unit
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bagger
a machine for putting objects or substances into bags
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calculating machine, calculator
a small machine that is used for mathematical calculations
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calender
a machine that smooths or glazes paper or cloth by pressing it between plates or passing it through rollers
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ATM, automated teller, automated teller machine, automatic teller, automatic teller machine, cash dispenser, cash machine
an unattended machine (outside some banks) that dispenses money when a personal coded card is used
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comber
a machine that separates and straightens the fibers of cotton or wool
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computer, computing device, computing machine, data processor, electronic computer, information processing system
a machine for performing calculations automatically
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cement mixer, concrete mixer
a machine with a large revolving drum in which cement is mixed with other materials to make concrete
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corker
a machine that is used to put corks in bottles
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cotton gin, gin
a machine that separates the seeds from raw cotton fibers
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decoder
a machine that converts a coded text into ordinary language
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farm machine
a machine used in farming
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franking machine
a machine that automatically stamps letters or packages passing through it and computes the total charge
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hop-picker, hopper
a machine used for picking hops
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machinery
machines or machine systems collectively
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machine tool
a powered machine for cutting or shaping or finishing metals or other materials
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milking machine
machine consisting of a suction apparatus for milking cows mechanically
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motor
machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
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paving machine, pavior, paviour
a machine for laying pavement
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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
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pile driver
a machine that drives piling into the ground
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digger, excavator, power shovel, shovel
a machine for excavating
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power tool
a tool driven by a motor
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mechanical press, press
any machine that exerts pressure to form or shape or cut materials or extract liquids or compress solids
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press, printing press
a machine used for printing
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printer, printing machine
a machine that prints
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phonograph, record player
machine in which rotating records cause a stylus to vibrate and the vibrations are amplified acoustically or electronically
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riveter, riveting machine, rivetter
a machine for driving rivets
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feeder, self-feeder
a machine that automatically provides a supply of some material
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simulator
a machine that simulates an environment for the purpose of training or research
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slicer
a machine for cutting; usually with a revolving blade
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coin machine, slot machine
a machine that is operated by the insertion of a coin in a slot
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snow blower, snow thrower
a machine that removes snow by scooping it up and throwing it forcefully through a chute
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sorter
a machine for sorting things (such as punched cards or letters) into classes
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pestle, stamp
machine consisting of a heavy bar that moves vertically for pounding or crushing ores
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staple gun, staplegun, tacker
a hand-held machine for driving staples home
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stapler, stapling machine
a machine that inserts staples into sheets of paper in order to fasten them together
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textile machine
a machine for making textiles
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time machine
a science fiction machine that is supposed to transport people or objects into the past or the future
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trimmer
a machine that trims timber
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workhorse
machine that performs dependably under heavy use
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Zamboni
the trademark for a machine that smooths the ice in an ice-skating rink
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abacus
a calculator that performs arithmetic functions by manually sliding counters on rods or in grooves
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adder
a machine that adds numbers
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adding machine, totaliser, totalizer
a calculator that performs simple arithmetic functions
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Addressograph, addressing machine
a printer that automatically prints addresses on letters for mailing
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analog computer, analogue computer
a computer that represents information by variable quantities (e.g., positions or voltages)
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backhoe
an excavator whose shovel bucket is attached to a hinged boom and is drawn backward to move earth
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buffer, polisher
a power tool used to buff surfaces
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burr
rotary file for smoothing rough edges left on a workpiece
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character printer, character-at-a-time printer, serial printer
a printer that prints a single character at a time
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cheese press
a press for shaping cheese curd
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ciderpress
a press that is used to extract the juice from apples
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counter, tabulator
a calculator that keeps a record of the number of times something happens
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cultivator, tiller
a farm implement used to break up the surface of the soil (for aeration and weed control and conservation of moisture)
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digital computer
a computer that represents information by numerical (binary) digits
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dredge
a power shovel to remove material from a channel or riverbed
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drill press
a machine tool with a separate, upright stand; an electric drill is pressed into the work automatically or with a hand lever
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drum sander, electric sander, sander, smoother
a power tool used for sanding wood; an endless loop of sandpaper is moved at high speed by an electric motor
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electric motor
a motor that converts electricity to mechanical work
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electrostatic printer
a printer that uses an electric charge to deposit toner on paper
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engine
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
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enginery
machinery consisting of engines collectively
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cylinder press, flatbed press
a printing press where the type is carried on a flat bed under a cylinder that holds paper and rolls over the type
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flight simulator, trainer
simulator consisting of a machine on the ground that simulates the conditions of flying a plane
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garlic press
a press for extracting juice from garlic
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acoustic gramophone, gramophone
an antique record player; the sound of the vibrating needle is amplified acoustically
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grinder
a machine tool that polishes metal
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hammer, power hammer
a power tool for drilling rocks
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hand calculator, pocket calculator
a calculator small enough to hold in the hand or carry in a pocket
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harvester, reaper
farm machine that gathers a food crop from the fields
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hay conditioner, haymaker
a farm machine that treats hay to cause more rapid and even drying
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home computer
a computer intended for use in the home
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hydraulic press
press in which a force applied by a piston to a small area is transmitted through water to another piston having a large area
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impact printer
a printer that prints by mechanical impacts
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jukebox, nickelodeon
a cabinet containing an automatic record player; records are played by inserting a coin
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knitting machine
a textile machine that makes knitted fabrics
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line printer, line-at-a-time printer
printer that serves as an output device on a computer; prints a whole line of characters at a time
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loom
a textile machine for weaving yarn into a textile
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mailsorter
a sorter for sorting mail according to the address
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grinder, mill, milling machinery
machinery that processes materials by grinding or crushing
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Napier's bones, Napier's rods
a set of graduated rods formerly used to do multiplication and division by a method invented by John Napier
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client, guest, node
(computer science) any computer that is hooked up to a computer network
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number cruncher
a computer capable of performing a large number of mathematical operations per second
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page printer, page-at-a-time printer
a printer that prints one page at a time
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pari-mutuel machine, totalisator, totaliser, totalizator, totalizer
computer that registers bets and divides the total amount bet among those who won
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plane, planer, planing machine
a power tool for smoothing or shaping wood
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power drill
a power tool for drilling holes into hard materials
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power saw, saw, sawing machine
a power tool for cutting wood
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predictor
a computer for controlling antiaircraft fire that computes the position of an aircraft at the instant of a shell's arrival
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printer
(computer science) an output device that prints the results of data processing
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punch press
a power driven press used to shape metal parts
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quipu
calculator consisting of a cord with attached cords; used by ancient Peruvians for calculating and keeping records
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rotary press
a printing press for printing from a revolving cylinder
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router
a power tool with a shaped cutter; used in carpentry for cutting grooves
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host, server
(computer science) a computer that provides client stations with access to files and printers as shared resources to a computer network
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sewing machine
a textile machine used as a home appliance for sewing
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shaper, shaping machine
a machine tool for shaping metal or wood
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one-armed bandit, slot
a slot machine that is used for gambling
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spinning machine
a textile machine for spinning yarn and thread
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stamper, stamping machine
a power tool that stamps
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standing press
a large printing press that exerts pressure vertically
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steam shovel
a power shovel that is driven by steam
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stepper, stepping motor
a motor (especially an electric motor) that moves or rotates in small discrete steps
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sub-assembly
a unit assembled separately but designed to fit with other units in a manufactured product
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subtracter
a machine that subtracts numbers
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thermal printer
a printer that produces characters by applying heat to special paper that is sensitive to heat
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thrasher, thresher, threshing machine
a farm machine for separating seeds or grain from the husks and straw
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Turing machine
a hypothetical computer with an infinitely long memory tape
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typesetting machine
a printer that sets textual material in type
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vending machine
a slot machine for selling goods
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weldment
an assembly of parts welded together
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willow
a textile machine having a system of revolving spikes for opening and cleaning raw textile fibers
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winepress
a press that is used to extract the juice from grapes
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internet site, site, web site, website
a computer connected to the internet that maintains a series of web pages on the World Wide Web
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type of:
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device
an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose
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a device for overcoming resistance at one point by applying force at some other point
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synonyms:
simple machine
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types:
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inclined plane
a simple machine for elevating objects; consists of plane surface that makes an acute angle with the horizontal
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lever
a simple machine that gives a mechanical advantage when given a fulcrum
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block, pulley, pulley block, pulley-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
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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)
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balance, balance wheel
a wheel that regulates the rate of movement in a machine; especially a wheel oscillating against the hairspring of a timepiece to regulate its beat
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bicycle wheel
the wheel of a bicycle
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bollock, bullock block
a pulley-block at the head of a topmast
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buffing wheel
a wheel that is covered with soft material
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cartwheel
a wheel that has wooden spokes and a metal rim
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car wheel
a wheel that has a tire and rim and hubcap; used to propel the car
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daisy print wheel, daisy wheel
a wheel around which is a set of print characters that make a typing impression on paper
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driving wheel
a wheel that drives a motor vehicle (transforms torque into a tractive force)
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fairlead
a pulley-block used to guide a rope forming part of a ship's rigging to avoid chafing
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cogwheel, gear, gear wheel, geared wheel
a toothed wheel that engages another toothed mechanism in order to change the speed or direction of transmitted motion
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emery wheel, grinding wheel
a wheel composed of abrasive material; used for grinding
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handwheel
a wheel worked by hand
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idle pulley, idle wheel, idler pulley
a pulley on a shaft that presses against a guide belt to guide or tighten it
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nosewheel
a wheel located under the nose of an airplane that is part of the plane's landing gear
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paddle wheel, paddlewheel
a large wheel fitted with paddles and driven by an engine in order to propel a boat
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pinwheel
a wheel that has numerous pins that are set at right angles to its rim
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potter's wheel
a horizontal rotating wheel holding the clay being shaped by a potter
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incline, ramp
an inclined surface connecting two levels
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ratchet wheel
toothed wheel held in place by a pawl or detent and turned by a lever
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roller
a small wheel without spokes (as on a roller skate)
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roulette, toothed wheel
a wheel with teeth for making a row of perforations
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rowel
a small spiked wheel at the end of a spur
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screw
a simple machine of the inclined-plane type consisting of a spirally threaded cylindrical rod that engages with a similarly threaded hole
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sprocket, sprocket wheel
thin wheel with teeth that engage with a chain
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trundle
small wheel or roller
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wagon wheel
a wheel of a wagon
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water wheel, waterwheel
a wheel that rotates by direct action of water; a simple turbine
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water wheel, waterwheel
a wheel with buckets attached to its rim; raises water from a stream or pond
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wedge
something solid that is usable as an inclined plane (shaped like a V) that can be pushed between two things to separate them
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type of:
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mechanical device
mechanism consisting of a device that works on mechanical principles
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an efficient person“the boxer was a magnificent fighting machine”
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types:
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bionic man, bionic woman, cyborg
a human being whose body has been taken over in whole or in part by electromechanical devices
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bionic man, bionic woman, cyborg
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an intricate organization that accomplishes its goals efficiently“the war machine”
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type of:
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organisation, organization
a group of people who work together
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organisation, organization
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a group that controls the activities of a political party“he was endorsed by the Democratic machine”
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synonyms:
political machine
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type of:
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organisation, organization
a group of people who work together
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organisation, organization
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a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
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synonyms:
auto, automobile, car, motorcar
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types:
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ambulance
a vehicle that takes people to and from hospitals
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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
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bus, heap, jalopy
a car that is old and unreliable
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cab, hack, taxi, taxicab
a car driven by a person whose job is to take passengers where they want to go in exchange for money
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compact, compact car
a small and economical car
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convertible
a car that has a top that can be folded or removed
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coupe
a car with two doors and front seats and a luggage compartment
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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
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electric, electric automobile, electric car
a car that is powered by electricity
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gas guzzler
a car with relatively low fuel efficiency
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hardtop
a car that resembles a convertible but has a fixed rigid top
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hatchback
a car having a hatchback door
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horseless carriage
an early term for an automobile
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hot rod, hot-rod
a car modified to increase its speed and acceleration
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jeep, landrover
a car suitable for traveling over rough terrain
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limo, limousine
large luxurious car; usually driven by a chauffeur
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loaner
a car that is lent as a replacement for one that is under repair
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minicar
a car that is even smaller than a subcompact car
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minivan
a small box-shaped passenger van; usually has removable seats; used as a family car
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Model T
the first widely available automobile powered by a gasoline engine; mass-produced by Henry Ford from 1908 to 1927
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pace car
a high-performance car that leads a parade of competing cars through the pace lap and then pulls off the course
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race car, racer, racing car
a fast car that competes in races
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roadster, runabout, two-seater
an open automobile having a front seat and a rumble seat
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saloon, sedan
a car that is closed and that has front and rear seats and two or four doors
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sport car, sports car
a small low car with a high-powered engine; usually seats two persons
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S.U.V., SUV, sport utility, sport utility vehicle
a high-performance four-wheel drive car built on a truck chassis
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Stanley Steamer
a steam-powered automobile
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stock car
a car kept in dealers' stock for regular sales
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subcompact, subcompact car
a car smaller than a compact car
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phaeton, tourer, touring car
large open car seating four with folding top
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secondhand car, used-car
a car that has been previously owned; not a new car
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berlin
a limousine with a glass partition between the front and back seats
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brougham
a sedan that has no roof over the driver's seat
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finisher
a race car that finishes a race
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funny wagon
an ambulance used to transport patients to a mental hospital
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gypsy cab
a taxicab that cruises for customers although it is licensed only to respond to calls
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minicab
a minicar used as a taxicab
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panda car
a police cruiser
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shooting brake
another name for a station wagon
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stock car
a racing car with the basic chassis of a commercially available car
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type of:
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automotive vehicle, motor vehicle
a self-propelled wheeled vehicle that does not run on rails
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turn, shape, mold, or otherwise finish by machinery
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make by machinery
Pronunciation
US
/məˈʃin/
UK
/məˈʃin/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘machine'.
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