Machine

Machine, ma-shēn′, n. any artificial means or contrivance: any instrument for the conversion of motion: an engine: a coach or conveyance of any kind: one who can do only what he is told: a contrivance in the ancient Greek theatre for indicating a change of scene, by means of which a god might cross the stage or deliver a divine message—whence the expression Deus ex machĭna for a sudden interposition of Providence: any literary contrivance for the development of a plot: supernatural agency in a poem.—v.t. to use machinery for, esp. to print or sew by such: to make by means of machinery.—ns. Machine′-gun, a gun firing a great many shots one after the other, sometimes as many as 1000 per minute; Machine′-man, a man who manages the working of a machine, esp. in a printing-office; Machin′ery, machines in general: the working parts of a machine: combined means for keeping anything in action, or for producing a desired result; Machine′-shop, a workshop where machines are made; Machine′-tool, an adjustable machine for doing work with cutting-tools, or one utilising minor tools, as a planing-, drilling-machine, &c.; Machine′-work, work done by a machine; Machin′ist, a constructor of machines: one well versed in machinery: one who works a machine. [Fr.,—L. machĭna—Gr. mēchanē, akin to mēch-os, contrivance.]