Dictionary Definition
appliance
Noun
1 a device that is very useful for a particular
job [syn: contraption, contrivance, convenience, gadget, gizmo, gismo, widget]
2 durable goods for home or office use
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Etymology
From the English apply.Pronunciation
- /əˈplaɪəns/, /@"plaI@ns/
- Rhymes: -aɪəns
Noun
- The act of applying; application.
- An implement, an instrument or apparatus designed (or at least used) as a means to a specific end (often specified).
- 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.
- An attachment, some equipment (or - piece) to adapt another tool or machine to such specific purpose
- (obsolete) compliance
Translations
a device in its own right
- Dutch: toestel , (domestic) huishoudstoestel
- Japanese: 器械 (きかい, kikai)
to adapt other equipment
- Dutch: hulpstuk
References
Extensive Definition
Appliance may refer to a device with a narrow
function:
- Home appliance, routine household tasks, using electricity or some other energy input.
- In medicine and dentistry, custom-fitted appliances to an individual for the purpose of correction of a physical or dental problem such as prosthetic, orthotic appliances, and dental braces.
- Computer appliance, a computing device with a specific function and limited configuration ability
- Fire apparatus, a fire engine or fire truck in British English
Networking of home appliances
There is an increasing trend to network home
appliances together, and combine their controls and key
functions. For instance, energy distribution can be managed
more evenly so that when the washing
machine is on, the oven
can go into a delayed
start mode, or vice versa.
Or, a washing machine and dryer may share information about load
characteristics (gentle/normal, light/full), and synchronize their
finish times so the wet laundry does not have to wait before being
put in the dryer.
External links
- When the world first Electric Home appliance was invented, web site with Japanese language by Hokkaidō Hakodatechubu High School, Personal computer research club. (:ja:北海道函館中部高等学校)
appliance in German: Elektrogerät
appliance in Japanese: アプライアンス
Synonyms, Antonyms and Related Words
Charlie McCarthy, accommodation, accouterments, active use,
advantage, agent, amenity, ancilla, apparatus, appliances, application, appointments, appurtenance, appurtenances, armament, brassware, chinaware, clayware, consumption, contrivance, convenience, conveniences, copperware, creature, device, dinnerware, drive, duffel, dummy, dupe, durable goods, durables, earthenware, employ, employment, enamelware, equipage, equipment, exercise, exertion, facilities, facility, fittings, fixture, fixtures, flatware, furnishings, furniture, gear, glassware, go-between, good
use, graniteware,
handmaid, handmaiden, hard goods, hard
usage, hard use, hardware, hollow ware, housefurnishings,
housewares, ill use,
impedimenta,
implement, installations, instrument, interagent, intermediary, intermediate, intermedium, ironmongery, ironware, kit, kitchenware, lever, machine, machinery, materiel, mechanical aid,
mechanical device, mechanism, mediator, medium, metalware, midwife, minion, misuse, motive power, motor, munition, munitions, operation, organ, outfit, ovenware, paraphernalia, pawn, plant, play, plaything, plumbing, power plant, power
source, puppet, rig, rigging, rough usage, servant, silverware, slave, sporting goods,
stock-in-trade, stoneware, stooge, tableware, tackle, things, tinware, tool, tools and machinery, toy, usage, use, using up, utensils, utility, vehicle, white goods, woodenware, wrong
use