English > device: 5 senses > noun 1, artifact| Meaning | An instrumentality invented for a particular purpose. |
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| Examples | - "the device is small enough to wear on your wrist"
- "a device intended to conserve water"
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| Narrower | Kinetoscope | A device invented by Edison that gave an impression of movement as an endless loop of film moved continuously over a light source with a rapid shutter |
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| acoustic device | A device for amplifying or transmitting sound |
| adapter, adaptor | device that enables something to be used in a way different from that for which it was intended or makes different pieces of apparatus compatible |
| afterburner | A device injects fuel into a hot exhaust for extra thrust |
| agglomerator | A device that causes material to gather into rounded balls |
| airfoil, aerofoil, control surface, surface | A device that provides reactive force when in motion relative to the surrounding air |
| alarm, warning device, alarm system | A device that signals the occurrence of some undesirable event |
| appliance, contraption, contrivance, convenience, gadget, gizmo, gismo, widget | A device or control that is very useful for a particular job |
| applicator, applier | A device for applying a substance |
| aspergill, aspersorium | A short-handled device with a globe containing a sponge |
| autopilot, automatic pilot, robot pilot | A navigational device that automatically keeps ships or planes or spacecraft on a steady course |
| bait, decoy, lure | Something used to lure fish or other animals into danger so they can be trapped or killed |
| billiard marker | A device for keeping the score in a game / game of billiards |
| bird feeder, birdfeeder, feeder | An outdoor device that supplies food for wild birds |
| blower | A device that produces a current of air |
| bootjack | Has V-shaped notch for pulling off boots |
| breathalyzer, breathalyser | A device that measures chemicals (especially the alcohol content) in a person's expired breath |
| breathing device, breathing apparatus, breathing machine, ventilator | A device that facilitates breathing in cases of respiratory failure |
| bubbler | Any of various devices in which air or some other gas is bubbled through a liquid / liquid |
| buffer, fender | A cushion-like device that reduces shock due to an impact |
| catapult, launcher | A device that launches aircraft from a warship |
| charger, battery charger | A device for charging or recharging batteries |
| clip-on | A device (as an earring, sunglasses, microphone etc.) that is attached by clips |
| comb | A flat device with narrow pointed teeth on one edge |
| comforter, pacifier, baby's dummy, teething ring | device used for an infant to suck or bite on |
| conductor | A device designed to transmit electricity, heat / heat, etc. |
| contraceptive, preventive, preventative, contraceptive device, prophylactic device, birth control device | An agent or device intended to prevent conception |
| converter, convertor | A device for changing one substance or form or state into another |
| corer | A device for removing the core from apples |
| corrective, restorative | A device for treating injury or disease |
| crusher | A device that crushes / crushes something |
| cryptograph | A device for deciphering codes and ciphers |
| cutoff | A device that terminates the flow in a pipe |
| dampener, moistener | A device that dampens or moistens something |
| damper, muffler | A device that decreases the amplitude of electronic, mechanical, acoustical, or aerodynamic oscillations |
| deflector | A device intended to turn aside the flow of something (water or air or smoke / smoke etc) |
| dental appliance | A device to repair teeth or replace missing teeth |
| depressor | A device used by physician to press a part down or aside / aside |
| detector, sensor, sensing element | Any device that receives a signal or stimulus (as heat or pressure or light or motion etc.) and responds to it in a distinctive manner |
| diestock | A device that holds the dies that cut external threads on metal cylinders |
| drive | (computer science) a device that writes data onto or reads data from a storage medium |
| drop forge, drop hammer, drop press | device for making large forgings |
| elastic device | Any flexible device that will return to its original shape when stretched |
| electrical device | A device that produces or is powered by electricity |
| electronic device | A device that accomplishes its purpose electronically |
| energizer, energiser | A device that supplies electrical energy |
| exercise device | A device designed to provide exercise for the user |
| explosive device | device that bursts with sudden violence from internal energy |
| fan | A device for creating a current of air by movement of a surface or surfaces |
| filter | device that removes something from whatever passes through it |
| fire extinguisher, extinguisher, asphyxiator | A manually operated device for extinguishing small fires / fires |
| flare | A device that produces a bright light for warning or illumination or identification |
| fumigator | A device that generates a gas for the purpose of disinfecting or eradicating pests |
| gas fixture | A device to convey illuminating gas from the pipe to the gas burner |
| groover | A device that makes grooves by cutting or punching |
| guard, safety, safety device | A device designed to prevent injury or accidents |
| heat exchanger | device that transfers heat from one liquid / liquid to another without allowing them to mix |
| heater, warmer | device that heats / heats water or supplies warmth to a room |
| holding device | A device for holding / holding something |
| horn | A device having the shape of a horn |
| hydrofoil, foil | A device consisting of a flat or curved piece (as a metal plate) so that its surface reacts to the water it is passing through |
| imprint | A device produced by pressure on a surface |
| indicator | A device for showing the operating condition of some system |
| instrument | A device that requires skill for proper use |
| interlock, ignition interlock | A device that prevents an automotive engine from starting |
| interrupter | A device for automatically interrupting an electric current |
| jig | A device that holds a piece of machine work and guides the tools operating on it |
| key | metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated |
| keyboard | device consisting of a set of keys on a piano or organ or typewriter or typesetting machine or computer or the like |
| knocker, doorknocker, rapper | A device (usually metal and ornamental) attached by a hinge to a door |
| lift | A device worn in a shoe or boot to make the wearer look taller or to correct a shortened leg |
| lifting device | A device for lifting heavy loads |
| lighter, light, igniter, ignitor | A device for lighting or igniting fuel or charges or fires |
| machine | Any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks |
| magnet | (physics) a device that attracts iron and produces a magnetic field |
| mechanism | device consisting of a piece of machinery |
| memory device, storage device | A device that preserves information for retrieval |
| musical instrument, instrument | Any of various devices or contrivances that can be used to produce musical tones or sounds |
| nest egg | device consisting of an artificial egg left in a nest to induce hens to lay their eggs in it |
| noisemaker | A device (such as a clapper or bell or horn) used to make a loud noise at a celebration |
| optical device | A device for producing or controlling light |
| override | A manually operated device to correct the operation of an automatic device |
| paper feed | A device for inserting sheets of paper into a printer or typewriter |
| peeler | A device for peeling vegetables or fruits |
| pick, plectrum, plectron | A small thin device (of metal or plastic or ivory) used to pluck a stringed instrument |
| power takeoff, PTO | A device that transfers power from an engine (as in a tractor or other motor vehicle) to another piece of equipment (as to a pump or jackhammer) |
| prod, goad | A pointed instrument that is used to prod / prod into a state of motion |
| prompter, autocue | A device that displays words for people to read |
| pull | A device used for pulling something |
| reflector | device that reflects radiation |
| release, button | A device that when pressed will release part of a mechanism |
| remote control, remote | A device that can be used to control a machine or apparatus from a distance |
| reset | device for resetting instruments or controls |
| restraint, constraint | A device that retards something's motion / motion |
| router | (computer science) a device that forwards data packets between computer networks |
| runner | device consisting of the parts on which something can slide along |
| scratcher | A device used for scratching |
| shoehorn | A device used for easing the foot into a shoe |
| shoetree | A wooden or metal device that is inserted / inserted into a shoe to preserve its shape when it is not being worn |
| shooting stick | device that resembles a spiked walking stick but the top opens into a seat |
| shredder | A device that shreds documents (usually in order to prevent the wrong people from reading them) |
| signaling device | A device used to send signals |
| slide chart | A hand-held device, usually of paper, cardboard, or plastic, for conducting simple calculations or looking up information |
| snowshoe | A device to help you walk on deep snow |
| sounder | A device for making soundings |
| source of illumination | Any device serving as a source of visible electromagnetic radiation |
| stabilizer, stabiliser | A device for making something stable |
| stemmer | A device for removing stems from fruit (as from grapes or apples) |
| straightener | A device for straightening |
| strengthener, reinforcement | A device designed to provide additional strength |
| stylus | A sharp pointed device attached to the cartridge of a record player |
| suction cup | A cup-shaped device (made of rubber, glass, or plastic) that produces a partial vacuum |
| support | Any device that bears the weight of another thing |
| sweatbox | A device that causes tobacco leaves or fruit or hides to sweat |
| synchroflash | A device used in photography to synchronize the peak of a flash with the opening of the camera shutter |
| take-up | Any of various devices for reducing slack (as in a sewing machine) or taking up motion (as in a loom) |
| teaser | A device for teasing wool |
| throwing stick, throwing board, spear thrower, dart thrower | A device resembling a sling that is used in various primitive societies to propel a dart or spear |
| tilter | A device for emptying a cask by tilting it without disturbing the dregs |
| tongs, pair of tongs | Any of various devices for taking hold of objects |
| toy | A device regarded as providing amusement |
| trap | A device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned |
| trigger | A device that activates or releases or causes something to happen |
| valve | device in a brass wind instrument for varying the length of the air column to alter the pitch of a tone |
| vaporizer, vaporiser | A device that puts out a substance in the form of a vapor (especially for medicinal inhalation) |
| ventilator | A device (such as a fan) that introduces fresh air or expels foul air |
| washboard | device consisting of a corrugated surface to scrub clothes on |
| water cooler | A device for cooling and dispensing drinking water |
| Broader | instrumentality, instrumentation | An artifact (or system of artifacts) that is instrumental in accomplishing some end |
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| Spanish | aparato, dispositivo, mecanismo |
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| Catalan | aparell, dispositiu, mecanisme |
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