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Philip Ilic Thomas

Collected vocabulary

Contraptions

A curated vocabulary of mechanical words, curious objects, and interesting terms.

77 entries

A

Accoutrement
an accessory item of clothing or equipment, especially one associated with a particular activity
Almanac
an annual reference book of dates, statistics, forecasts, and other practical information. Wikipedia
Andon
a manufacturing term for a system to notify management, maintenance, and other workers of a quality or process problem. Wikipedia
Ansatz
an assumed form for a solution that gives a mathematical or physical problem a tractable starting point. Wikipedia
Apron
a protective garment worn over the front of the body; also a platform or surface surrounding a work area. Wikipedia
Artifact
an object made or modified by people, especially one of archaeological or historical interest. Wikipedia

B

Bauble
a small, showy ornament or trinket. Wikipedia
Bellows
a device that expands and contracts to force air through an outlet. Wikipedia
Bespoke
made to order for a particular person or purpose. Wikipedia
Binnacle
a stand or housing for a ship's compass. Wikipedia
Bivouac
a temporary camp or improvised shelter, especially for soldiers or mountaineers. Wikipedia
Blip
a brief interruption, a small spike or dot on a display, or a minor deviation from a trend
Brigade
a military formation made up of several battalions; more broadly, an organized group. Wikipedia
Bunkobon
a small, usually A6-sized Japanese paperback format. Wikipedia

C

Cairn
a mound of rough stones built as a memorial, landmark, or trail marker. Wikipedia
Caliper
a measuring instrument with two adjustable legs or jaws for checking dimensions. Wikipedia
Camshaft
a rotating shaft whose cams operate valves or convert rotary motion into reciprocating motion. Wikipedia
Carnet
a customs document that permits the temporary duty-free import of goods. Wikipedia
Carrier pigeon
a homing pigeon trained to carry messages back to its home loft. Wikipedia
Catalog
an organized list of items, often with descriptions or other identifying information. Wikipedia
Claxon
an electrically operated horn, originally a brand of motor-vehicle horn. Wikipedia
Codex
an ancient manuscript book made of bound pages, rather than a scroll. Wikipedia
Crankshaft
a shaft with offset cranks that converts reciprocating motion into rotation, or the reverse. Wikipedia

D

Denouement
the final resolution of a story's plot, after its climax. Wikipedia
Dogear
a folded corner of a page used to mark a place in a book. Wikipedia
Doohickey
an informal name for an object or device whose proper name is unknown or forgotten. Wikipedia
Dowel
a cylindrical rod used to align, join, or support parts. Wikipedia
Dynamo
an electrical generator that uses a commutator to produce direct current. Wikipedia

E

Epigraph
a short quotation at the beginning of a book, chapter, or other work. Wikipedia
Excoriation
a scrape or abrasion of the skin; also severe criticism
Expedition
an organized journey undertaken for a particular purpose, especially exploration or research

F

Forsooth
an archaic adverb meaning "in truth," often used for emphasis or mock solemnity
Foundry
a workshop or factory where metal is melted and cast into shapes. Wikipedia

G

Gasket
a shaped seal placed between surfaces to prevent leakage under compression. Wikipedia
Gear
a rotating machine part with teeth that mesh with another part to transmit motion or torque. Wikipedia

I

Imprimatur
an official license to print or publish; more broadly, an authoritative approval. Wikipedia

J

Jig
a device that holds a piece of work and guides the tool operating on it. Wikipedia

K

Kerfuffle
a commotion or fuss, especially one caused by disagreement. Wikipedia

L

Laboratory
a room or facility equipped for scientific research, experiments, and testing under controlled conditions. Wikipedia
Lathe
a machine tool that rotates a workpiece so it can be cut, shaped, drilled, or finished. Wikipedia

M

Manicule
a typographical symbol of a pointing hand, used to direct the reader's attention. Wikipedia 👉🏻
Manometer
an instrument that measures fluid pressure, often by the movement of a liquid column. Wikipedia
Manufactory
an early term for a factory, especially one relying substantially on manual labor. Wikipedia
Maquette
a small preliminary model used to plan a sculpture, building, or other work. Wikipedia
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

N

Nest egg
money saved or invested for a future purpose. Wikipedia

O

Orlop
the lowest deck of a wooden sailing ship, typically used for storage. Wikipedia

P

Pablum
bland or insipid ideas, writing, or entertainment; named for a brand of infant cereal. Wikipedia
Pamphlet
a short, usually unbound publication about a single subject. Wikipedia
Pannier
a basket, bag, or box carried in pairs on an animal, bicycle, or motorcycle. Wikipedia
Paperclip
a bent-wire fastener used to hold sheets of paper together. Wikipedia
Pastiche
an artistic work that imitates the style of another work, artist, or period. Wikipedia
Pefletti
a small seat cover placed on a Finnish sauna bench for hygiene and protection from the heat. Wikipedia
Piggy bank
a small container, traditionally shaped like a pig, used for saving coins. Wikipedia
Pilcrow
the paragraph mark, ¶, used to indicate the start of a new paragraph. Wikipedia
Pimlico
a residential district in central London, known for its Regency architecture. Wikipedia
Pinion
a small gear that meshes with a larger gear or rack. Wikipedia
Piston
a sliding component that moves inside a cylinder to transfer force or compress a fluid. Wikipedia
Planer
a tool or machine that produces a flat surface on wood or metal. Wikipedia
Pulley
a grooved wheel that guides a rope, belt, or cable to redirect force or transmit motion. Wikipedia

Q

Quay
a platform built along a shore where ships load and unload. Wikipedia
Quokka
a small marsupial native to southwestern Australia. Wikipedia

S

Scribbler
a person who writes hurriedly, carelessly, or prolifically, often used disparagingly
Snollygoster
a shrewd, unprincipled person, especially a politician
Stencil
a thin template with cut-out openings used to reproduce a design by applying pigment to another surface. Wikipedia

T

Talisman
an object believed to bring good luck or protect its bearer. Wikipedia
Tidbit
a small morsel of food or a brief, interesting piece of information
Tipples
structures at mines that load coal or ore into vehicles for transport. Wikipedia
Toolbelt
a belt with loops, pouches, or pockets for carrying tools close at hand
Transom
a horizontal structural bar above a door or window; also the flat stern of a boat. Wikipedia
Treadle
a foot-operated lever that drives a machine or mechanism. Wikipedia
Tsundoku
the practice of acquiring books and letting them pile up unread. Wikipedia
Turbine
a rotary machine driven by a moving fluid, such as steam, water, gas, or air. Wikipedia

W

Winch
a hauling or lifting device that winds rope or cable around a rotating drum. Wikipedia
Workshop
a room or building equipped for making or repairing things; also a collaborative working session. Wikipedia

Z

Zhuzh
to make something more stylish, lively, or attractive