Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- n. A device or instrument designed to perform a specific function, especially an electrical device, such as a toaster, for household use. See Synonyms at tool.
- n. A dental or surgical device designed to perform a therapeutic or corrective function.
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- n. The act of applying, putting to use, or carrying into practice.
- n. Something applied as a means to an end, either independently or subordinately; that which is adapted to the accomplishment of a purpose; an instrumental means, aid, or appurtenance: as, the appliances of civilization, or of a trade; mechanical, chemical, or medical appliances (tools, machinery, apparatus, remedies, etc.); an engine with its appliances.
Wiktionary
- n. The act of applying; application.
- n. An implement, an instrument or apparatus designed (or at least used) as a means to a specific end (often specified).
- n. Specifically: A non-manual apparatus or device, powered electrically or by another small motor, used in homes to perform domestic functions (household appliance) and/or in offices.
- n. An attachment, some equipment (or - piece) to adapt another tool or machine to such specific purpose
- n. A compliance
GNU Webster's 1913
- n. The act of applying; application.
- n. subservience; compliance.
- n. A thing applied or used as a means to an end; an apparatus or device
- n. An apparatus or device, usually powered electrically, used in homes to perform domestic functions. An appliance is often categorized as a major appliance or a minor appliance by its cost. Common major appliances are the refrigerator, washing machine, clothes drier, oven, and dishwasher. Some minor appliances are a toaster, vacuum cleaner or microwave oven.
WordNet 3.0
- n. a device or control that is very useful for a particular job
- n. durable goods for home or office use
Etymologies
- From apply.
Examples
“In the case of Azul, the appliance is a kind of Java co-processor that sits on the network providing compute assistance to many different Java applications running on many different machines.”
“Between the substation and the end-use consumer appliance is a business and technology no-mans-land ripe for innovation.”
Electricity Economics, Arnold Kling | EconLog | Library of Economics and Liberty
“Simple convenience as the abstract selling point for an appliance is a hard position to defend over any length of time; someone will inevitably separate the convenience from the hardware, and sell it at a significantly lower price.”
Schooner Launches Specialized Servers for Speedy Data Delivery
“I do most of the camp cooking and my favorite kitchen appliance is the crock pot.”
“Company: Barracuda NetworksProduct: Message Archiver 450Price: Starts at $1,999 for up to 150 users, no per user fee. 1,000-user appliance is less than $9/user.”
“Whirlpool has been able to blunt some of the softness in appliance demand in the U.S. and Europe with improved productivity and aggressive cost reductions in its manufacturing and distribution operations.”
“The post has gotten almost 300 comments so far, with some of the LiveJournalists wondering whether the use of such an outdated appliance is trying to tell us something about Medvedev's plan to modernize the economy.”
“This sassy appliance is being replaced Sunday after church.”
Next time I buy a wash machine, it better have a neck - SpouseBUZZ
“Some of the techie products he advocates include: Wattson, a gadget that shows energy use in dollars; Home Joule, a wall plug-in that shows energy prices; MorePower, a real-time gadget that shows how much juice your appliances are using; Isave, a digital readout of your faucet's water use; and PLOGG, which relays the amount of energy an appliance is using to your PC.”
“The idea behind a grounded appliance is to protect people from being shocked by designing it so that the breaker trips if the case becomes energized.”
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