- machine
- ▪ I. machine ma‧chine 1 [məˈʆiːn] noun [countable]a piece of equipment that uses power such as electricity to do a particular task:
• Labour and machines are both at full capacity in the production department.
• We plan to upgrade all machines used for data input.
ˈanswering maˌchine OFFICEa machine connected to a telephone which records your telephone messages when you are not able to answer the telephone; = ANSWERPHONE:• If I'm not in, leave a message on my answering machine.
another name for cash machinecancelˈlation maˌchine also ˌpostal cancelˈlation maˌchine OFFICEa machine that prints a special sign on envelopes to show that the cost of sending them by mail has been paid; = franking machinea machine used by customers of a bank to take money out of their accounts, using a special card:• Customers would not like having to pay a fee every time they used a cash machine.
ˈclient maˌchineCOMPUTING one of several small computers connected to a large computer in a network:• Data is processed on the server before being delivered to the client machine.
dicˈtation maˌchine OFFICEa machine that records what you say so that someone can write it down later:• With a dictation machine, you can record letters and memos wherever you are.
ˈfax maˌchine OFFICEa machine that sends and receives Faxesˈfranking maˌchine OFFICEa machine that prints a special sign on envelopes to show that the cost of sending them by mail has been paid; = cancellation machineˈvending maˌchinea machine from which you can get cigarettes, chocolate, drinks etc by putting money into make or shape something with a special machine:• Something like 60 tools may be used to machine a single item.
— machining noun [uncountable] :• All scrap metal from machining processes at the factory is recycled.
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Ⅰ.machine UK US /məˈʃiːn/ noun [C]► PRODUCTION a piece of equipment with moving parts that uses power to do a particular type of work: »The machines were designed to make bottles from recycled plastic.
operate/use a machine »Now only a few people are required to operate the computerized machines.
install/service a machine »Soft drink companies began installing vending machines in schools.
»Is the machine working again?
a machine breaks down »The machine broke down and we had to call someone to come and mend it.
a washing/sewing/copying machine »Slowly feed the paper into the copying machine.
a machine for (doing) sth »He invented a machine for setting type.
»They use a special machine to scan the bone.
by machine »The votes are counted by machine.
»a machine operator/maker
► IT a computer: »You'll need a powerful machine for editing videos.
»Most machines running these programs have poor network connections.
► a group of people who control and organize something: political/publicity machine »The publicity machine will not quit when the book tour grinds to a halt.
»The hard left wanted ministers to be accountable to the party machine.
»His business empire has grown into a well-oiled machine.
→ See also ANSWERING MACHINE(Cf. ↑answering machine), AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINE(Cf. ↑automated teller machine), CANCELLATION MACHINE(Cf. ↑cancellation machine), CASH MACHINE(Cf. ↑cash machine), DICTATION MACHINE(Cf. ↑dictation machine), FAX(Cf. ↑fax), FRANKING MACHINE(Cf. ↑franking machine), MAILING MACHINE(Cf. ↑mailing machine), TAPE MACHINE(Cf. ↑tape machine), TICKER-TAPE MACHINE(Cf. ↑ticker-tape machine), VENDING MACHINE(Cf. ↑vending machine)Ⅱ.machine UK US /məˈʃiːn/ verb [T]► PRODUCTION to make or change the shape of something using a machine: »Each hole has to be accurately machined.
»The sides are carefully machined to fit the cylinders.
Financial and business terms. 2012.
