Definitions of mechanical device
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mechanism consisting of a device that works on mechanical principles
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types:
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broadcaster, spreader
a mechanical device for scattering something (seed or fertilizer or sand etc.) in all directions
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bumper
a mechanical device consisting of bars at either end of a vehicle to absorb shock and prevent serious damage
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bumper guard
vertical bars attached to a bumper to prevent locking bumpers with another vehicle
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carburetor, carburettor
mixes air with gasoline vapor prior to explosion
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compressor
a mechanical device that compresses gasses
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copyholder
mechanical device used in printing; holds the copy for the compositor
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coupler, coupling
a mechanical device that serves to connect the ends of adjacent objects
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crimper, curler, hair curler, roller
a mechanical device consisting of a cylindrical tube around which the hair is wound to curl it
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diaphragm, stop
a mechanical device in a camera that controls size of aperture of the lens
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dicer
a mechanical device used for dicing food
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electromechanical device
a mechanical device that is operated by electricity
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escapement
mechanical device that regulates movement
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gear lever, gearshift, gearstick, shifter
a mechanical device for engaging and disengaging gears
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grab
a mechanical device for gripping an object
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claw, hook
a mechanical device that is curved or bent to suspend or hold or pull something
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machine, simple machine
a device for overcoming resistance at one point by applying force at some other point
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pantograph
mechanical device used to copy a figure or plan on a different scale
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piston, plunger
mechanical device that has a plunging or thrusting motion
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propeller, propellor
a mechanical device that rotates to push against air or water
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pump
a mechanical device that moves fluid or gas by pressure or suction
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rachet, ratch, ratchet
mechanical device consisting of a toothed wheel or rack engaged with a pawl that permits it to move in only one direction
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auto-changer, changer, record changer
an automatic mechanical device on a record player that causes new records to be played without manual intervention
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ride
a mechanical device that you ride for amusement or excitement
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seeder
a mechanical device that sows grass seed or grain evenly over the ground
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shutter
a mechanical device on a camera that opens and closes to control the time of a photographic exposure
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binding, ski binding
one of a pair of mechanical devices that are attached to a ski and that will grip a ski boot; the bindings should release in case of a fall
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splicer
a mechanical device for joining two pieces of paper or film or magnetic tape
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splint
an orthopedic mechanical device used to immobilize and protect a part of the body (as a broken leg)
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sprinkler
mechanical device that attaches to a garden hose for watering lawn or garden
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stator, stator coil
mechanical device consisting of the stationary part of a motor or generator in or around which the rotor revolves
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stoker
a mechanical device for stoking a furnace
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stretcher
a mechanical device used to make something larger (as shoes or gloves) by stretching it
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striker
the part of a mechanical device that strikes something
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supply chamber
a mechanical device for holding something and supplying it as needed
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swing
mechanical device used as a plaything to support someone swinging back and forth
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pickup, pickup arm, tone arm
mechanical device consisting of a light balanced arm that carries the cartridge
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trap
a device to hurl clay pigeons into the air for trapshooters
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vibrator
mechanical device that produces vibratory motion; used for massage
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vibrator
a mechanical device that vibrates
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voting machine
a mechanical device for recording and counting votes mechanically
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vane, weather vane, weathervane, wind vane
mechanical device attached to an elevated structure; rotates freely to show the direction of the wind
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wheelwork
mechanical device including an arrangement of wheel in a machine (especially a train of gears)
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winder
mechanical device around which something can be wound
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key, winder
mechanical device used to wind another device that is driven by a spring (as a clock)
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windscreen wiper, windshield wiper, wiper, wiper blade
a mechanical device that cleans the windshield
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air compressor
a compressor that takes in air at atmospheric pressure and delivers it at a higher pressure
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airplane propeller, airscrew, prop
a propeller that rotates to push against air
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air pump, vacuum pump
a pump that moves air in or out of something
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anchor, ground tackle
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
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aspirator
a pump that draws air or another gas through a liquid
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auxiliary pump, donkey pump
a supplementary pump available if needed
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bicycle pump
a small pump that fills bicycle tires with air
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bilge pump
a pump to remove bilgewater
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bobbin, reel, spool
a winder around which thread or tape or film or other flexible materials can be wound
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carousel, carrousel, merry-go-round, roundabout, whirligig
a large, rotating machine with seats for children to ride or amusement
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cartridge clip, cartridge holder, clip, magazine
a metal frame or container holding cartridges; can be inserted into an automatic gun
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centrifugal pump
a pump that use centrifugal force to discharge fluid into a pipe
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clapper, tongue
metal striker that hangs inside a bell and makes a sound by hitting the side
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clevis
a coupler shaped like the letter U with holes through each end so a bolt or pin can pass through the holes to complete the coupling; used to attach a drawbar to a plow or wagon or trailer etc.
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clutch
a coupling that connects or disconnects driving and driven parts of a driving mechanism
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Ferris wheel
a vertical rotating mechanism consisting of a large wheel with suspended seats that remain upright as the wheel rotates; provides a ride at an amusement park
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firing pin
striker that ignites the charge by striking the primer
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fluid drive
an automotive power coupling
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force pump
pump used to force a liquid up and expel it under pressure
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gas pump, gasoline pump, island dispenser, petrol pump
a pump in a service station that draws gasoline from underground storage tanks
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gear, gearing, geartrain, power train, train
wheelwork consisting of a connected set of rotating gears by which force is transmitted or motion or torque is changed
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grease-gun, gun
a hand-operated pump that resembles a revolver; forces grease into parts of a machine
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hammer
a striker that is covered in felt and that causes the piano strings to vibrate
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cock, hammer
the part of a gunlock that strikes the percussion cap when the trigger is pulled
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hand pump
a pump worked by hand
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head
the striking part of a tool
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heart-lung machine
a pump to maintain circulation during heart surgery; diverts blood from the heart and oxygenates it and then pumps it through the body
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hydraulic pump, hydraulic ram
a water pump that uses the kinetic energy of flowing water to force a small fraction of that water to a reservoir at a higher level
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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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iris, iris diaphragm
diaphragm consisting of thin overlapping plates that can be adjusted to change the diameter of a central opening
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lever
a simple machine that gives a mechanical advantage when given a fulcrum
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lift pump
pump used to lift rather than force a liquid up
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cartridge, magazine
a light-tight supply chamber holding the film and supplying it for exposure as required
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oil pump
a pump that keeps a supply of oil on moving parts
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pothook
an S-shaped hook to suspend a pot over a fire
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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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reed, vibrating reed
a vibrator consisting of a thin strip of stiff material that vibrates to produce a tone when air streams over it
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reel
winder consisting of a revolving spool with a handle; attached to a fishing rod
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big dipper, chute-the-chute, roller coaster
elevated railway in an amusement park (usually with sharp curves and steep inclines)
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screw, screw propeller
a propeller with several angled blades that rotates to push against water or air
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stirrup pump
a hand-operated reciprocating pump; used in fighting fires
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suction pump
a pump for raising fluids by suction
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supercharger
compressor that forces increased oxygen into the cylinders of an internal-combustion engine
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swivel
a coupling (as in a chain) that has one end that turns on a headed pin
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tenterhook
one of a series of hooks used to hold cloth on a tenter
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trapeze
a swing used by circus acrobats
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turnbuckle
an oblong metal coupling with a swivel at one end and an internal thread at the other into which a threaded rod can be screwed in order to form a unit that can be adjusted for length or tension
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universal, universal joint
coupling that connects two rotating shafts allowing freedom of movement in all directions
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variable-pitch propeller
propeller for which the angle of the blades is adjustable
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watch key
winder consisting of a key with a square hole; used for winding some watches
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water pump
the pump in the cooling system of an automobile that cause the water to circulate
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weathercock
weathervane with a vane in the form of a rooster
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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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wind tee
weather vane shaped like a T and located at an airfield
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type of:
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mechanism
device consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts that perform some function
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