= Lat. machina:
I.an instrument, machine for lifting weights and the like, Hdt.; μ. Ποσειδῶνος, of the trident, Aesch.; λαοπόροις μ., of Xerxes' bridge of boats, id=Aesch.
2.an engine of war, Thuc.
3.a theatrical machine, by which gods were made to appear in the air, Plat.: hence proverb. of any sudden appearance, ὥσπερ ἀπὸ μηχανῆς (cf. Lat. deus ex machina), Dem.
II.any contrivance, for doing a thing, Hdt., etc.: in pl. μηχαναί, shifts, devices, arts, wiles, Hes., attic; μηχαναῖς Διός by the arts of Zeus, Aesch.; proverb., μηχαναὶ Σισύφου Ar.:—Phrases, μηχανήν or μηχανὰς προσφέρειν Eur.; εὑρίσκειν Aesch., etc.:—c. gen., μ. κακῶν a contrivance against ills, Eur.; but, μ. σωτηρίας a way of providing safety, Aesch.