Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A self-service machine that dispenses merchandise after payment is made.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun An
automatic machine thataccepts money anddispenses merchandise .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a slot machine for selling goods
Etymologies
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Examples
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ruzuzu commented on the word vending machine
"In a poem by Ausonius in the 4th century AD, he mentions a stone-cutting saw powered by water. Hero of Alexandria is credited with many such wind and steam powered machines in the 1st century AD, including the Aeolipile and the vending machine, often these machines were associated with worship, such as animated altars and automated temple doors."
-- https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Engine&oldid=833084943
April 12, 2018
bilby commented on the word vending machine
I wonder what he vended.
April 12, 2018
ruzuzu commented on the word vending machine
Holy water.
"The first vending machine was also one of his constructions; when a coin was introduced via a slot on the top of the machine, a set amount of holy water was dispensed. This was included in his list of inventions in his book Mechanics and Optics. When the coin was deposited, it fell upon a pan attached to a lever. The lever opened up a valve which let some water flow out. The pan continued to tilt with the weight of the coin until it fell off, at which point a counter-weight would snap the lever back up and turn off the valve."
-- https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hero_of_Alexandria&oldid=835926439
April 12, 2018
bilby commented on the word vending machine
Beautiful!
April 12, 2018
qms commented on the word vending machine
And, in an early precedent for the tv preacher/pitch man, each machine bore the onscription,
Oh, sinner you need what I vend!
Those talents you foolishly spend
If spent here with me
Will set your soul free
To find the true way and amend!
April 12, 2018