machine English · revision 2844

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1549|origins=grc μηχανή}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /məˈʃiːn/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|frm|machine|t=device, contrivance]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) from [[la|māchina|t=machine, engine; device, trick]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[grc|μαχανά|tr=makhaná]], the Doric form of [[m|grc|μηχανή|tr=mēkhanḗ|t=device, contrivance, means]],^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) related to [[m|grc|μῆχος|tr=mêkhos|t=means, expedient]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) Watkins traces it to [[ine-pro|*magh-|t=to be able, have power]], the root of [[may]], but Beekes, cited by Etymonline, considers the Greek word isolated and Pre-Greek.^(Etymonline) The French pronunciation of ch gives the English sound, while [[mechanic]] comes from the same Greek word through Latin.^(MW Word Histories) The verb, “to make with a machine”, is from the noun;^(Barnhart 1988) an earlier Middle English verb machinen, “to plot”, came from Old French machiner.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A structure of any kind, material or immaterial: 1549,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) the 1540s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) Merriam-Webster dates it to about 1545.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the 17th century the word was used for a military engine or siege tower (1656) and for any apparatus or appliance (1650).^(OED 1989) The main modern sense, a device of moving parts for applying mechanical power, is from 1673,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) and it probably grew out of those senses.^(Etymonline) It came to mean an apparatus that works without the strength or skill of the workman.^(Etymonline) From the 17th to the 19th century a machine could also be a vehicle, such as a stage-coach, or a ship,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and in the US from 1901 a motor car.^(OED 1989) The political sense, a party organization that controls its members, is American by 1876.^(Etymonline) The verb, “to make or shape with a machine”, is from 1878.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) ''Machine gun'' is American English from 1870.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1549 – a structure of any kind.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1650 – an apparatus or appliance.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1656 – a military engine.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1673 – a mechanical apparatus.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1687 – a vehicle.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1870 – ''machine gun''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1876 – a political organization.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1878 – verb, to make by machine.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1901 – a motor car (US).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A device of fixed and moving parts that changes [[energy]] or force into useful work.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A simple device such as a [[lever]] or [[pulley]] that changes the size or direction of a force.^(AHD)

+ # A [[computer]] or other automatic device; a vehicle such as a car or motorcycle.^(MW Collegiate)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A person who acts mechanically, without thought.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # An organization controlled by a few, especially in [[politics]]: ''the party machine''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To make, cut or finish with a machine.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[machinable]]

+ * [[machineless]]

+ * [[machine-readable]]

+ * [[antimachine]]

+ * [[machinelike]]

+ * [[nanomachine]]

+ * [[machinate]]

+ * [[machination]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[mechanic]]

+ * [[mechanism]]

+ * [[machinery]]

+ * [[may]]

+ * [[might]]

+ * [[main]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}