1. A set of materials or equipment designed for a particular use; A group of anatomical or cytological parts functioning together; An instrument or appliance designed for a specific operation
2. The functional processes by means of which a systematized activity is carried out; as the machinery of government; the organization of a political party or an underground movement + prikaži više

1. A device that very useful for a particular job; SYN. contraption, contrivance, convenience, gadget, gizmo, widget.
2. Durable goods for home or office use.

ETYM Latin vault, arch, Late Lat., chamber. Related to Chamber.
A light-proof box with a lens at one end and light-sensitive film at the other; SYN. photographic camera.
Apparatus used in photography, consisting of a lens system set in a light-proof box inside of which a sensitized film or plate can be placed. The lens collects rays of light reflected from the subject and brings them together as a sharp image on the film; it has marked numbers known as apertures, or f-stops, that reduce or increase the amount of light. Apertures also control depth of field. A shutter controls the amount of time light has to affect the film. There are small-, medium-, and large-format cameras; the format refers to the size of recorded image and the dimensions of the print obtained.
A simple camera has a fixed shutter speed and aperture, chosen so that on a sunny day the correct amount of light is admitted. More complex cameras allow the shutter speed and aperture to be adjusted; most have a built-in exposure meter to help choose the correct combination of shutter speed and aperture for the ambient conditions and subject matter. The most versatile camera is the single lens reflex (SLR) which allows the lens to be removed and special lenses attached. A pin-hole camera has a small (pin-sized) hole instead of a lens. It must be left on a firm support during exposures, which are up to ten seconds with slow film, two seconds with fast film and five minutes for paper negatives in daylight. The pin-hole camera gives sharp images from close-up to infinity. + prikaži više

ETYM Old Eng. devis, devise, will, intention, opinion, invention, from French devis architect's plan and estimates (in Old Fren., division, plan, wish), devise device, in Old Fren. also, division, wish, last will, from deviser. Related to Devise, Devise.
1. An instrumental invented for a particular purpose.
2. Any clever (deceptive) maneuver; SYN. gimmick, twist.
3. Something in an artistic work designed to achieve a particular effect.
4. Any ornamental pattern or design (as in embroidery).
5. An emblematic design (especially in heraldry). + prikaži više

ETYM French, from Latin machina machine, engine, device, trick, Greek, from mechane means, expedient. Related to Mechanic.
1. Any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks.
2. An intricate organization that accomplishes its goals efficiently.
3. An efficient person.
4. A group that controls the activities of a political party; SYN. political machine.
5. A device for overcoming resistance at one point by applying force at some other point; SYN. simple machine.
Device that allows a small force (the effort) to overcome a larger one (the load). There are three basic machines: the inclined plane (ramp), the lever, and the wheel and axle. All other machines are combinations of these three basic types. Simple machines derived from the inclined plane include the wedge, the gear, and the screw; the spanner is derived from the lever; the pulley from the wheel.
The principal features of a machine are its mechanical advantage, which is the ratio of load to effort, its velocity ratio, and its efficiency, which is the work done by the load divided by the work done by the effort; the latter is expressed as a percentage. In a perfect machine, with no friction, the efficiency would be 100%. All practical machines have efficiencies of less than 100%, otherwise perpetual motion would be possible. + prikaži više