English Dictionary

machine

/məˈʃiːn/

noun

A device that directs and controls energy, often in the form of movement or electricity, to produce a certain effect. / (dated) A vehicle operated mechanically, such as an automobile or an airplane.

The machine hummed as it directed and controlled the energy.

意味（1）

A device that directs and controls energy, often in the form of movement or electricity, to produce a certain effect.

An artificial kidney these days still means a refrigerator-sized dialysis machine. Such devices mimic the way real kidneys cleanse blood and eject impurities and surplus water as urine.

意味（2）

(dated) A vehicle operated mechanically, such as an automobile or an airplane.

As the aviator turned his machine to reconnoitre in the new direction, he was surprised to see the hostile aeroplane between him and his objective.

意味（3）

(telephony, abbreviation) An answering machine or, by extension, voice mail.

I called you earlier, but all I got was the machine.

意味（4）

(computing) A computer.

Game developers assume they're pushing the limits of the machine.

意味（5）

(figuratively) 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.

意味（6）

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.

The whole machine of government, civil and religious, ought never to bear upon the people with a weight so oppressive

意味（7）

(poetry) Supernatural agency in a poem, or a superhuman being introduced to perform some exploit.

I am apt to think, that the changing of the Trojan fleet into water-nymphs, which is the most violent machine in the whole Æneid […]

意味（8）

(politics, chiefly US) The system of special interest groups that supports a political party, especially in urban areas.

A machine politician cannot see why the straight ticket (as be and his clique of party bosses prepare it) should not be voted by every citizen belonging to that party.

意味（9）

(euphemistic, obsolete) Penis.

He now reſumes his attempts in more form: firſt he put one of the pillows under me, to give the blank of his aim a more favourable elevation, and another under my head, in eaſe of it: then ſpreading my thighs, and placing himſelf ſtanding between them, made them reſt upon his hips: applying then the point of his machine to the ſlit, into which he ſought entrance;

意味（10）

(historical) 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; the deus ex machina.

意味（11）

(obsolete) A bathing machine.

One Machine only was provided for Bathers, the Limitted smoothness of the sands not extending widely enough to admit another.