machine
/məˈʃin/ noun A1- A device that directs and controls energy, often in the form of movement or electricity, to produce a certain effect.
- A vehicle operated mechanically, such as an automobile or an airplane.
- An answering machine or, by extension, voice mail. · I called you earlier, but all I got was the machine.
- A computer. · Game developers assume they're pushing the limits of the machine.· He refuses to turn off his Linux machine.
- 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.· The government has become a money-making machine.
- Especially, the group that controls a political or similar organization; a combination of persons acting together for a common purpose, with the agencies which they use.
- Supernatural agency in a poem, or a superhuman being introduced to perform some exploit.
- The system of special interest groups that supports a political party, especially in urban areas.
Plural machines
From the library
Divers descended in machines, made expressly on the discovery, into the bay where they were thrown; but of ten three only remained, the rest having been broken by the waves.
Some of his own holdings were imperilled, and the man was working like some high-geared, delicate, strong machine—strung to full tension, going at full speed, accurate, never hesitating, with the proper word and decision and act ready and prompt as clockwork.
It was at such moments that for an instant he ceased to be a reasoning machine, and betrayed his human love for admiration and applause.
“Alas, yes; the poor old gentleman is entirely helpless; the mind alone is still active in this human machine, and that is faint and flickering, like the light of a lamp about to expire.
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