I.a machine, engine; an instrument, organ (perh. not ante-Aug.; not in Cic. or Cæs.).
I. Lit.: “machinamenta alia quatiendis muris portabant,” military engines, Liv. 24, 34: “suspensum et nutans machinamentum,” Tac. H. 4, 30: “nihil tam ignarum barbaris, quam machinamenta et astus oppugnationum,” id. A. 12, 45: “tot genera machinamentorum ad extendendum femur,” surgical instruments, Cels. 8, 20: “singulis articulis singula machinamenta, quibus extorqueantur, aptata,” Sen. Ep. 24, 14; id. Cons. ad Marc. 20, 3.—*
B. Transf., the organs of sense, App. Dogm. Plat. 1, p. 9, 20.—
II. Trop., a trick, device, stratagem (post-class.): callida commeantium, Cod. Th. 6, 28, 6.