machina (makina)

[L.: see machine.] A machine: used only as a Latin word. - Deus ex machina. See machine, 5. - Machina Electric a, an obsolete constellation, formed by Bode in 1797 out of parts of the Whale, Sculptor, Fornax, and Phœnix, and intended to represent an electrical machine. machinal (mak'i-nal), a. [L. mach in a lis, pertaining to machines, machinate (mak'i-nāt), v.; pret. and pp. machi nated, ppr. machinating. [L. mach in at us, pp. of machinari (> OF. F. machiner, > E. machine: see machine, v.), contrive, plan, devise, plot, scheme, Such was the perfidiousne of our wicked and restle Countrymen at home, who, being often receiv'd into our Protection, ceas'd not however to machinate new Disturb Milton, Letters of State, June, 1658. ances. II. in trans. To lay plots or schemes. Though that enemy shall not overthrow it, yet because it plots, and works, and machinates , and would overthrow it, this is a defect in that peace. Donne, Sermons, xii. machination (mak-i-nāʻshon), n. [= OF. ma china cion , F. machination = Pr. mach in a cion = Sp . maquinacion = Pg. maquinação = It. macchi nazione, machinatio (n-), machinari , contrive: see machinate .] 1. The act of machinating, or of contriving a scheme for executing some purpose, particularly a forbidden or an evil purpose; underhand plotting or contrivance.-2. That which is planned or contrived; a plot; an artful design formed with deliberation; especially, a hostile or treacherous scheme.