appliance
noun/əˈplaɪ.əns/
Etymology Recorded since the 1560s. From the English apply + -ance.
1
An implement, an instrument or apparatus designed (or at least used) as a means to a specific end, especially
- Canst thou, O partial sleep, give thy repose To the wet sea-boy in an hour so rude; And in the calmest and most stillest night, With all appliances and means to boot, Deny it to a king?c. 1596–1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Fourth, […]. Epilogue.”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]:
- “[…] Oh, the pipe! won’t you have it lit again, father?” said Eppie, lifting that medicinal appliance from the ground.1861, George Eliot [pseudonym; Mary Ann Evans], chapter XVI, in Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe, Edinburgh; London: William Blackwood and Sons, →OCLC:
1 more example
- […] sleeping life waiting to be spread and dispersed, every seed armed with an appliance of dispersal, twisting darts and parachutes for the wind, little spears and balls of tiny thorns, and all waiting for animals and for the wind, for a man’s trouser cuff or the hem of a woman’s skirt […]1939, John Steinbeck, chapter 3, in The Grapes of Wrath, New York: Viking, page 20:
› An implement, an instrument or apparatus…
2
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.
- Many house fires are caused by faulty appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines and dryers.
- I know I'm artificial But don't put the blame on me I was reared with appliances In a consumer society1978, Poly Styrene, “Art-I-Ficial”, in Germ Free Adolescents, performed by X-Ray Spex:
3
An attachment, a piece of equipment to adapt another tool or machine to a specific purpose.
4
Obsolete The act of applying.
- 1658, Elias Ashmole, The Way to Bliss, London: Nath. Brook, Book 2, Chapter 2 “Of Health,” p. 75, […] there be three things, and every one full of under-branches belonging to this Art and way of Healing: The first is knowledge of the Diseases: the second is the Remedies against them: and the third of the appliance of Remedies; All which should be traversed in this Discourse.
- [T]he attention to fashion, the tasteful appliance of ornament in each portion of her dress, were quite in place with her: […]1849, Currer Bell [pseudonym; Charlotte Brontë], “Whitsuntide”, in Shirley. A Tale. […], volume II, London: Smith, Elder and Co., […], →OCLC, page 127:
5
Obsolete A means of eliminating or counteracting something undesirable, especially an illness.
- […] Diseases desperate grown By desperate appliance are reliev’d, Or not at all.c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii]:
- Physician. Now I haue found you out, you are in loue. Jane. I thinke I am, what your appliance now? Can all your Paracelsian mixtures cure it, ’T must be a Surgeon of the Ciuill Law, I feare that must cure me.1617, Thomas Middleton, William Rowley, A Fair Quarrel, London: I.T, act II, scene 1:
3 more examples
- c. 1775, Thomas Hull, Moral Tales in Verse, London: George Cawthorn, 1797, Volume 2, “The Advantages of Repentance,” pp. 161-162, With charitable care They rais’d him up, and, by appliance meet, Quicken’d the pulse, and bade it flow anew.
- So low he fell, that all appliances For his salvation were already short, Save showing him the people of perdition.1867, Dante Alighieri, “The Divine Comedy”, in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, transl., Purgatory, Canto 30:
- The wife of the labouring man does rear her children, and often rears them in health, without even so many appliances of comfort as found their way into Mrs. Crawley's cottage; but the task to her was almost more than she could accomplish.1861, Anthony Trollope, Framley Parsonage:
- And hearing your high majesty is touch’d With that malignant cause wherein the honour Of my dear father’s gift stands chief in power, I come to tender it and my appliance With all bound humbleness.c. 1604–1605 (date written), William Shakespeare, “All’s Well, that Ends Well”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]: