different between machinery vs contrivance

English

Etymology

From French machinerie (“machinery”), from machine (“machine”); see machine.

Pronunciation

• enPR: m?-sh?'n?-r?, IPA^(key): /m???i?n??i/
• Rhymes: -i?n??i

Noun

machinery (countable and uncountable, plural machineries)

1. The machines constituting a production apparatus, in a plant etc., collectively.
2. The working parts of a machine as a group.
3. The collective parts of something which allow it to function.

   All of the machinery of the law was brought to bear on the investigation.

4. (figuratively) The literary devices used in a work, notably for dramatic effect

Derived terms

• heavy machinery
• political machinery

Related terms

• machinist

Translations

Further reading

• machinery in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• machinery in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Anagrams

• hemicrany

English

Etymology

contrive +? -ance

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /k?n?t?a?.v?ns/

Noun

contrivance (plural contrivances)

1. a (mechanical) device to perform a certain task
2. a means, such as an elaborate plan or strategy, to accomplish a certain objective
   • 2005, Plato, Sophist. Translation by Lesley Brown. 266b.

     And along with each of these go their images, not the things themselves, — they too have come about by godlike contrivance.

3. something overly artful or artificial

Synonyms

• contraption

Related terms

• contrive

Translations

Further reading

• contrivance in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• contrivance in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.