Machine: “device, contrivance¹,” from
Latin machina² “machine, engine, fabric, device, trick,” from
Greek makhana, Doric variant of mekhane “devices, means,”
related to mekhos “means, expedient, contrivance,” from
Pre-Indo-European maghana “that which enables,” from
base magh “to be able, have power” (O.E. mæg “I can;” see might)—
modern usage becomes “device made of moving parts for applying
mechanical power” (1670s) grew out of mid 17th century “apparatus,”
and used in late 19th century slang for both “penis” and “vagina.”
_________________________________________________________________
¹From early 14th century controver “to find
out, contrive, imagine,” from
Late Latin contropare “to compare,”
from Latin com- “with”
+ tropus “song, musical mode,” from
Greek tropos “figure of speech.”
²Related to machinari “contrive, plot,” becomes
machinatus “device, contrivance, machination,” becomes
Late 15th century Latin machinationem³ “a plotting, intrigue.”
³From English machination, from
root machinate “to contrive or plot,
esp. artfully or with evil purpose,”
related to Latin machinari “to plan,” from
machina “machine.”
Comes from deus ex machina “stage device from
Greek and Roman tragedies, in which
a god appears in the sky by means
of a crane to resolve the plot of a play.”
Published by spectator z, on August 26th, 2010 at 12:53 pm. Filled under: OTHER. | No Comments |