machine
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
How often you will meet it
Rank 2,439 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 7,030 times across 139,755 chapters — 0.003% of every word in the library.
What it means
noun
- any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
- an efficient person the boxer was a magnificent fighting machine
- an intricate organization that accomplishes its goals efficiently the war machine
- a device for overcoming resistance at one point by applying force at some other point also: simple machine
- a group that controls the activities of a political party also: political machine he was endorsed by the Democratic machine
- a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine also: car, auto, automobile, motorcar he needs a car to get to work
verb
- turn, shape, mold, or otherwise finish by machinery
- make by machinery The Americans were machining while others still hand-made cars
machine in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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The Fax machine is also an amazing thing.
William Gibson Interviewed · Giuseppe Salza · Chapter 1
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In other words, a human machine, doing its duty impenetrably when it was once wound up.
Man and Wife · Wilkie Collins · Chapter 1
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I was lying under the machine at the time, studying the differential, while he was jacking up an axle.
The Motormaniacs · Lloyd Osbourne · Chapter 1
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This is art and fine and beautiful, and only a master can compass it; but a machine could tell the other story.
How to Tell a Story, and Other Essays · Mark Twain · Chapter 1
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This last is beyond all question the simplest, easiest | | to manage and to keep in order, of any machine in the | | market.
Punchinello, Volume 1, No. 08, May 21, 1870 · Various · Chapter 1