Topic: TRANSPORT
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| Date: | 1500-1600 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | Latin machina, from Greek mechane, from mechos 'way of doing things' |
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ma‧chine1 S1 W1
[countable]
[countable]1 a piece of equipment with moving parts that uses power such as electricity to do a particular job Did you put my dirty shirts in the machine (=washing machine)? I left a message for you on your machine (=telephone answering machine). The machine wouldn't let me have any money (=cash machine). ➔ answering machine, cash machine, vending machine
Did you put my dirty shirts in the machine (=washing machine)?I left a message for you on your machine (=telephone answering machine).The machine wouldn't let me have any money (=cash machine).2TDTD a computer : My machine's just crashed.
My machine's just crashed.3PPG a group of people who control and organize something - often used to show disapproval :
4TT informal a vehicle, especially a motorbike : Riders have to learn to handle their machines in all conditions.
Riders have to learn to handle their machines in all conditions.5 a person or animal that does something very well or without having to think about it : In the tiger, nature has produced the perfect hunting machine. I'm not a golfing machine. I make mistakes just like anyone else.
In the tiger, nature has produced the perfect hunting machine.I'm not a golfing machine. I make mistakes just like anyone else.6 someone who seems to behave like a machine and to have no feelings or thoughts [= automaton]
7 something that works very smoothly and effectively : The office runs like a well-oiled machine.
a well-oiled machine
The office runs like a well-oiled machine.WORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
machine, device, gadget, appliance A machine is a piece of equipment that uses power to do a particular job. It is usually large and stays in the same place • a machine that sorts mail • a washing machine You use the words device and gadget especially when you think the equipment is very cleverly designed. A device is a piece of equipment that does a particular job, for example takes measurements or controls the operation of a machine. It may use electrical power or be used by hand • a device for detecting blood alcohol levels from breath samples • a temperature control device A gadget is a small piece of equipment that does something useful or impressive • one of those gadgets that sorts coins • kitchen gadgets An appliance is a piece of electrical equipment used in your home such as a washing machine or fridge. This word is used especially by the companies that produce and sell them • the world's largest producer of household appliances • domestic appliances
WORD CHOICE: machine, device, gadget, appliance A machine is a piece of equipment that uses power to do a particular job. It is usually large and stays in the same place • a machine that sorts mail • a washing machine You use the words device and gadget especially when you think the equipment is very cleverly designed. A device is a piece of equipment that does a particular job, for example takes measurements or controls the operation of a machine. It may use electrical power or be used by hand • a device for detecting blood alcohol levels from breath samples • a temperature control device A gadget is a small piece of equipment that does something useful or impressive • one of those gadgets that sorts coins • kitchen gadgets An appliance is a piece of electrical equipment used in your home such as a washing machine or fridge. This word is used especially by the companies that produce and sell them • the world's largest producer of household appliances • domestic appliances
