 |
| Date: | 1800-1900 |
| Origin: | Perhaps from French gâchette 'fastener of a lock' |
Related topics:D a small, useful, and cleverly-designed machine or tool : 
a neat gadget for sharpening knives
a neat gadget for sharpening knives ➔ see usage note machine1WORD CHOICE: 
WORD CHOICE: 
machine, device, gadget, applianceA 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 machineYou 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 deviceA gadget is a small piece of equipment that does something useful or impressive • one of those gadgets that sorts coins • kitchen gadgetsAn 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 ➔ See also machine
WORD CHOICE: machine, device, gadget, applianceA 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 machineYou 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 deviceA gadget is a small piece of equipment that does something useful or impressive • one of those gadgets that sorts coins • kitchen gadgetsAn 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 ➔ See also machine
