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Machine vs Instrument - What's the difference?

machine | instrument |

In figuratively terms the difference between machine and instrument

is that machine is a person or organisation that seemingly acts like a machine, being particularly efficient, single-minded, or unemotional while instrument is a person used as a mere tool for achieving a goal.

As nouns the difference between machine and instrument

is that machine is a device that directs and controls energy, often in the form of movement or electricity, to produce a certain effect while instrument is a device used to produce music.

As verbs the difference between machine and instrument

is that machine is to make by machinery while instrument is to apply measuring devices.

machine

Noun

(en noun)
  • A device that directs and controls energy, often in the form of movement or electricity, to produce a certain effect.
  • * {{quote-magazine, title=A better waterworks, date=2013-06-01, volume=407, issue=8838
  • , page=5 (Technology Quarterly), magazine=(The Economist) citation , passage=An artificial kidney these days still means a refrigerator-sized dialysis machine . Such devices mimic the way real kidneys cleanse blood and eject impurities and surplus water as urine.}}
  • (archaic) A vehicle operated mechanically; an automobile.
  • (telephony, abbreviation) An answering machine or, by extension, voice mail.
  • (computing) A computer.
  • (figuratively) A person or organisation that seemingly acts like a machine, being particularly efficient, single-minded, or unemotional.
  • Especially, the group that controls a political or similar organization; a combination of persons acting together for a common purpose, with the agencies which they use.
  • * Landor
  • The whole machine of government ought not to bear upon the people with a weight so heavy and oppressive.
  • Supernatural agency in a poem, or a superhuman being introduced to perform some exploit.
  • (Addison)
  • (euphemistic, obsolete) Penis.
  • {{quote-Fanny Hill, part=3 , He now resumes his attempts in more form: first, he put one of the pillows under me, to give the blank of his aim a more favourable elevation, and another under my head, in ease of it; then spreading my thighs, and placing himself standing between them, made them rest upon his hips; applying then the point of his machine to the slit, into which he sought entrance.}}

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    (Derived terms) * finite state machine * jet machine * machine bolt * machine code * machinegun * machine-gun * machine gun * machine instruction * machine language * machine learning * machine-made * machine of government * machine pistol * machine-readable * machine room * machine screw * machine shop * machine tool * machine-translation * machine translation * machine-washable * pinball machine * sewing machine * simple machine * slot machine

    Verb

    (machin)
  • to make by machinery.
  • to shape or finish by machinery.
  • Derived terms

    * machinist

    Anagrams

    * 1000 English basic words ----

    instrument

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A device used to produce music.
  • The violinist was a master of her instrument .
  • A means or agency for achieving an effect.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1905, author=
  • , title= , chapter=1 citation , passage=“There the cause of death was soon ascertained?; the victim of this daring outrage had been stabbed to death from ear to ear with a long, sharp instrument , in shape like an antique stiletto, which […] was subsequently found under the cushions of the hansom. […]”}}
  • A measuring or displaying device.
  • The instrument detected an increase in radioactivity.
  • A tool, implement used for manipulation or measurement.
  • The dentist set down his tray of instruments'''.'' The scientist recorded the temperature with a thermometer but wished he had a more accurate ' instrument ."
  • (legal) A legal document, such as a contract, deed, trust, mortgage, power, indenture, or will.
  • A bond indenture is the instrument that gives a bond its value.
    Negotiable instruments are the foundation of the debt markets.
  • (figuratively) A person used as a mere tool for achieving a goal.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Or useful serving man and instrument , / To any sovereign state.
  • * Dryden
  • The bold are but the instruments of the wise.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * blunt instrument * debt instrument * derivative instrument * financial instrument * instrumentation * instrumental * instrumentive * measuring instrument * musical instrument * negotiable instrument * writing instrument

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To apply measuring devices.
  • To devise, conceive, cook up, plan.
  • To perform upon an instrument; to prepare for an instrument.
  • a sonata instrumented for orchestra

    Synonyms

    * (to apply measuring devices) measure, supervise * * (to perform on an instrument) play * (to prepare for an instrument) arrange

    See also

    * instrumental

    Anagrams

    * ----