device

Noun
  1. An instrumentality invented for a particular purpose (synset 103187746)
    "the device is small enough to wear on your wrist"; "a device intended to conserve water"
    is a type of: instrumentality, instrumentation - an artifact (or system of artifacts) that is instrumental in accomplishing some end
    subtypes:
    • 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 that injects fuel into a hot exhaust for extra thrust
    • agglomerator - a device that causes material to gather into rounded balls
    • aerofoil, airfoil, control surface, surface - a device that provides reactive force when in motion relative to the surrounding air; can lift or control a plane in flight
    • alarm, alarm system, warning device - a device that signals the occurrence of some undesirable event
    • appliance, contraption, contrivance, convenience, gadget, gismo, gizmo, 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; used for sprinkling holy water
    • automatic pilot, autopilot, 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 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
    • breathalyser, breathalyzer - a device that measures chemicals (especially the alcohol content) in a person's expired breath
    • breathing apparatus, breathing device, 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
    • buffer, fender - a cushion-like device that reduces shock due to an impact
    • catapult, launcher - a device that launches aircraft from a warship
    • battery charger, charger - a device that can hold a rechargeable battery by means of an electrical cable
    • 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; disentangles or arranges hair
    • baby's dummy, comforter, pacifier, teething ring - device used for an infant to suck or bite on
    • conductor - a device designed to transmit electricity, heat, etc.
    • birth control device, contraceptive, contraceptive device, preventative, preventive, prophylactic 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 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 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
    • detector, sensing element, sensor - 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
    • energiser, energizer - 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
    • asphyxiator, extinguisher, fire extinguisher - a manually operated device for extinguishing small 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
    • heater, warmer - device that heats water or supplies warmth to a room
    • heat exchanger - device that transfers heat from one liquid to another without allowing them to mix
    • holding device - a device for holding something
    • horn - a device having the shape of a horn
    • foil, hydrofoil - 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
    • ignition interlock, 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
    • 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; precursor of the modern motion picture
    • doorknocker, knocker, 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
    • igniter, ignitor, light, lighter - 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; has moving parts that perform some function
    • memory device, storage device - a device that preserves information for retrieval
    • instrument, musical 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, plectron, plectrum - 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)
    • goad, prod - a pointed instrument that is used to prod into a state of motion
    • autocue, prompter - a device that displays words for people to read
    • pull - a device used for pulling something
    • reflector - device that reflects radiation
    • button, release - a device that when pressed will release part of a mechanism
    • remote, remote control - a device that can be used to control a machine or apparatus from a distance
    • reset - device for resetting instruments or controls
    • constraint, restraint - a device that retards something's 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 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
    • snowshoe - a device to help you walk on deep snow; a lightweight frame shaped like a racquet is strengthened with cross pieces and contains a network of thongs; one is worn on each foot
    • sounder - a device for making soundings
    • source of illumination - any device serving as a source of visible electromagnetic radiation
    • stabiliser, stabilizer - a device for making something stable
    • stemmer - a device for removing stems from fruit (as from grapes or apples)
    • straightener - a device for straightening
    • reinforcement, strengthener - 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; used to adhere or draw something to a surface
    • 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
    • dart thrower, spear thrower, throwing board, throwing stick - 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
    • pair of tongs, tongs - any of various devices for taking hold of objects; usually have two hinged legs with handles above and pointed hooks below
    • 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
    • vaporiser, vaporizer - 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
    • slide chart - a hand-held device, usually of paper, cardboard, or plastic, for conducting simple calculations or looking up information
  2. Something in an artistic work designed to achieve a particular effect (synset 107082884)
    is a type of: expressive style, style - a way of expressing something (in language or art or music etc.) that is characteristic of a particular person or group of people or period
    subtypes:
    • conceit - an artistic device or effect
    • rhetorical device - a use of language that creates a literary effect (but often without regard for literal significance)
  3. Any clever maneuver (synset 100172070)
    "he would stoop to any device to win a point"; "it was a great sales gimmick"; "a cheap promotions gimmick for greedy businessmen"
    is a type of: maneuver, manoeuvre, tactical maneuver, tactical manoeuvre - a move made to gain a tactical end
    subtypes:
    • mnemonic - a device (such as a rhyme or acronym) used to aid recall
    • fast one, trick - a cunning or deceitful action or device
    same as: gimmick, twist
  4. Any ornamental pattern or design (as in embroidery) (synset 103190430)
    is a type of: design, figure, pattern - a decorative or artistic work
    subtypes: seal, stamp - a device incised to make an impression; used to secure a closing or to authenticate documents
  5. An emblematic design (especially in heraldry) (synset 103190246)
    "he was recognized by the device on his shield"
    referred to in: heraldry - the study and classification of armorial bearings and the tracing of genealogies
    is a type of: emblem - special design or visual object representing a quality, type, group, etc.
    subtypes: union - a device on a national flag emblematic of the union of two or more sovereignties (typically in the upper inner corner)

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