machinery | Search Online Etymology Dictionary

machinery (n.)

1680s; from machine (n.) + -ery. Originally theatrical, "devices for creating stage effects" (which also was a sense of Greek mēkhanē); meaning "machines or parts of machines considered collectively," is attested from 1731. Transferred meaning "any complex system of (non-mechanical) means to carry on a particular work" is by 1770. Middle English had machinament "a contrivance" (early 15c.).

ski-lift (n.)

by 1949, from ski + lift (n.) in the "hoisting machinery" sense.

Jinny

also Ginny, fem. proper name, originally a diminutive of Jane, and like Jenny it also was used of machinery.

oil-can (n.)

"can for holding oil," especially one with a long, narrow, tapering spout, used to oil machinery, 1839, from oil (n.) + can (n.).

apparat (n.)

"administrative machinery of the Communist Party in Russia," 1950, from Russian, from German apparat "apparatus, instrument," from Latin apparatus "tools, implements" (see apparatus).

loader (n.)

late 15c., "person who loads," agent noun from load (v.). Of machinery, by 1862.

widow-maker (n.)

"something lethally dangerous" (war, the sea, dangerous machinery, etc.), 1590s, from widow (n.) + maker.

millwright (n.)

"engineer who designs and builds mills and their machinery," late 15c., from mill (n.1) + wright.

machine-made (adj.)

"made by a machine or machinery" (opposed to man-made), by 1837, from machine (n.) + made.

dead-center (adj., adv.)

"in the exact middle," 1874, the noun phrase (1836) in reference to lathes or other rotating machinery, meaning the point which does not revolve; see dead (adj.).

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