a system of means and activities whereby a social institution functions; " the complex machinery of negotiation"; " the machinery of command labored and brought forth an order"

machines or machine systems collectively

Machines, in general, or collectively.

The working parts of a machine, engine, or instrument; as, the machinery of a watch.

The supernatural means by which the action of a poetic or fictitious work is carried on and brought to a catastrophe; in an extended sense, the contrivances by which the crises and conclusion of a fictitious narrative, in prose or verse, are effected.

The means and appliances by which anything is kept in action or a desired result is obtained; a complex system of parts adapted to a purpose.

Engines and other appliances collectively, or the parts of them; any means by which something is kept in action or the result desired is obtained.

Machines in general: the parts of a machine: means for keeping in action: supernatural agency in a poem.

Machines in general; parts of a machine.

The parts of a machine; machines collectively.

Mechanical combination; the parts of a machine; machines in general; superhuman agency introduced into a poem for the purpose of solving difficulties.

The works or component parts of a machine; machines in general; complicated routine or management; the superhuman beings introduced into a poem, & c., to solve a difficulty.

Around him are huge, smoking buildings filled with roaring machinery all man- made. – The Centralia Conspiracy by Ralph Chaplin

They'll be making human beings by machinery too, soon! – Pelle the Conqueror, Vol. 2 by Martin Anderson Nexo

Labour is so cheap that it is not necessary to resort to labour- saving machinery – The Khedive's Country by George Manville Fenn

What do you know about machinery – Angel Island by Inez Haynes Gillmore

In fact, the body is the engine that runs the machinery of our lives. – A Fleece of Gold Five Lessons from the Fable of Jason and the Golden Fleece by Charles Stewart Given

It is undoubtedly further a fact that the future of dry- farming is closely bound up with the improvements that may be made in farm machinery – Dry-Farming by John A. Widtsoe

I know it could- I have got the plan of the machinery in my head already. – John Halifax, Gentleman by Dinah Maria Mulock Craik

" It is like a great Wheel- a vast machinery – The Lamp in the Desert by Ethel M. Dell

You buy your machinery your plant. – Skinner's Dress Suit by Henry Irving Dodge

Nor was there any machinery or preparation of any kind. – Modern Spiritualism by Uriah Smith

Well, then, you know I am driven to invention now; it is my only chance; and, ever since Mr. Carden spoke to me, I have given my whole soul to the best way of saw- grinding by machinery – Put Yourself in His Place by Charles Reade

The difficulty is the want of machinery which there is no capital to purchase. – Lord Stranleigh Abroad by Robert Barr

Where can you find any other piece of machinery that will run as long or as faithfully with so little care? – Christopher and the Clockmakers by Sara Ware Bassett

There was a ladder from this room to the one above where the machinery was. – Tom, Dot and Talking Mouse and Other Bedtime Stories by J. G. Kernahan and C. Kernahan

You have the brains and with your gift for machinery Well, try it. – To Him That Hath A Novel Of The West Of Today by Ralph Connor

Earth- moving machinery had been moved into place and was operating. – The Flaming Mountain by Harold Leland Goodwin

" I've insisted on the police setting every bit of available machinery to work in an effort to lay hands on him," replied Mr. Lindsey. – Dead Men's Money by J. S. Fletcher

Opening a door in the machinery he disappeared inside. – Astounding Stories of Super-Science, December 1930 by Various

I touched the machinery – My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year by John Henry Jowett

The machinery was repaired, the office was cleared, and order was restored. – Great Inventions and Discoveries by Willis Duff Piercy