Contraptions

Pinion — a small gear that meshes with a larger gear or rack. Wikipedia
Claxon — an electrically operated horn, originally a brand of motor-vehicle horn. Wikipedia
Quokka — a small marsupial native to southwestern Australia. Wikipedia
Epigraph — a short quotation at the beginning of a book, chapter, or other work. Wikipedia
Pastiche — an artistic work that imitates the style of another work, artist, or period. Wikipedia
Manicule — a typographical symbol of a pointing hand, used to direct the reader's attention. Wikipedia 👉🏻
Pefletti — a small seat cover placed on a Finnish sauna bench for hygiene and protection from the heat. Wikipedia
Jig — a device that holds a piece of work and guides the tool operating on it. Wikipedia
Pablum — bland or insipid ideas, writing, or entertainment; named for a brand of infant cereal. Wikipedia
Cairn — a mound of rough stones built as a memorial, landmark, or trail marker. Wikipedia
Andon — a manufacturing term for a system to notify management, maintenance, and other workers of a quality or process problem. Wikipedia
Bunkobon — a small, usually A6-sized Japanese paperback format. Wikipedia
Tsundoku — the practice of acquiring books and letting them pile up unread. Wikipedia
Binnacle — a stand or housing for a ship's compass. Wikipedia
Imprimatur — an official license to print or publish; more broadly, an authoritative approval. Wikipedia
Artifact — an object made or modified by people, especially one of archaeological or historical interest. Wikipedia
Pamphlet — a short, usually unbound publication about a single subject. Wikipedia
Gear — a rotating machine part with teeth that mesh with another part to transmit motion or torque. Wikipedia
Piggy bank — a small container, traditionally shaped like a pig, used for saving coins. Wikipedia
Nest egg — money saved or invested for a future purpose. Wikipedia
Carrier pigeon — a homing pigeon trained to carry messages back to its home loft. Wikipedia
Workshop — a room or building equipped for making or repairing things; also a collaborative working session. Wikipedia
Toolbelt — a belt with loops, pouches, or pockets for carrying tools close at hand
Almanac — an annual reference book of dates, statistics, forecasts, and other practical information. Wikipedia
Orlop — the lowest deck of a wooden sailing ship, typically used for storage. Wikipedia
Tidbit — a small morsel of food or a brief, interesting piece of information
Brigade — a military formation made up of several battalions; more broadly, an organized group. Wikipedia
Gasket — a shaped seal placed between surfaces to prevent leakage under compression. Wikipedia
Doohickey — an informal name for an object or device whose proper name is unknown or forgotten. Wikipedia
Lathe — a machine tool that rotates a workpiece so it can be cut, shaped, drilled, or finished. Wikipedia
Piston — a sliding component that moves inside a cylinder to transfer force or compress a fluid. Wikipedia
Foundry — a workshop or factory where metal is melted and cast into shapes. Wikipedia
Bauble — a small, showy ornament or trinket. Wikipedia
Dynamo — an electrical generator that uses a commutator to produce direct current. Wikipedia
Camshaft — a rotating shaft whose cams operate valves or convert rotary motion into reciprocating motion. Wikipedia
Turbine — a rotary machine driven by a moving fluid, such as steam, water, gas, or air. Wikipedia
Bellows — a device that expands and contracts to force air through an outlet. Wikipedia
Pulley — a grooved wheel that guides a rope, belt, or cable to redirect force or transmit motion. Wikipedia
Crankshaft — a shaft with offset cranks that converts reciprocating motion into rotation, or the reverse. Wikipedia
Manometer — an instrument that measures fluid pressure, often by the movement of a liquid column. Wikipedia
Planer — a tool or machine that produces a flat surface on wood or metal. Wikipedia
Winch — a hauling or lifting device that winds rope or cable around a rotating drum. Wikipedia
Treadle — a foot-operated lever that drives a machine or mechanism. Wikipedia
Caliper — a measuring instrument with two adjustable legs or jaws for checking dimensions. Wikipedia
Codex — an ancient manuscript book made of bound pages, rather than a scroll. Wikipedia
Catalog — an organized list of items, often with descriptions or other identifying information. Wikipedia
Accoutrement — an accessory item of clothing or equipment, especially one associated with a particular activity
Snollygoster — a shrewd, unprincipled person, especially a politician
Excoriation — a scrape or abrasion of the skin; also severe criticism
Bespoke — made to order for a particular person or purpose. Wikipedia
Paperclip — a bent-wire fastener used to hold sheets of paper together. Wikipedia
Talisman — an object believed to bring good luck or protect its bearer. Wikipedia
Dogear — a folded corner of a page used to mark a place in a book. Wikipedia
Quay — a platform built along a shore where ships load and unload. Wikipedia
Pilcrow — the paragraph mark, ¶, used to indicate the start of a new paragraph. Wikipedia
Denouement — the final resolution of a story's plot, after its climax. Wikipedia
Forsooth — an archaic adverb meaning "in truth," often used for emphasis or mock solemnity
Moquette — a durable woven upholstery fabric, often used on public-transport seats and carpets. Wikipedia
Mountebank — a fraudulent seller of supposed medicines; more broadly, a boastful charlatan. Wikipedia
Bivouac — a temporary camp or improvised shelter, especially for soldiers or mountaineers. Wikipedia
Transom — a horizontal structural bar above a door or window; also the flat stern of a boat. Wikipedia
Pannier — a basket, bag, or box carried in pairs on an animal, bicycle, or motorcycle. Wikipedia
Maquette — a small preliminary model used to plan a sculpture, building, or other work. Wikipedia
Zhuzh — to make something more stylish, lively, or attractive
Scribbler — a person who writes hurriedly, carelessly, or prolifically, often used disparagingly
Manufactory — an early term for a factory, especially one relying substantially on manual labor. Wikipedia
Apron — a protective garment worn over the front of the body; also a platform or surface surrounding a work area. Wikipedia
Carnet — a customs document that permits the temporary duty-free import of goods. Wikipedia
Pimlico — a residential district in central London, known for its Regency architecture. Wikipedia
Expedition — an organized journey undertaken for a particular purpose, especially exploration or research
Tipples — structures at mines that load coal or ore into vehicles for transport. Wikipedia
Blip — a brief interruption, a small spike or dot on a display, or a minor deviation from a trend
Dowel — a cylindrical rod used to align, join, or support parts. Wikipedia
Kerfuffle — a commotion or fuss, especially one caused by disagreement. Wikipedia
Ansatz — an assumed form for a solution that gives a mathematical or physical problem a tractable starting point. Wikipedia