infernal machine

noun

: a machine or apparatus maliciously designed to explode and destroy life or property
especially : a concealed or disguised bomb

Examples of infernal machine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Dale Stewart, 54, of Webster, N.H. was arrested Thursday evening and arraigned Friday morning on felony charges that include throwing or placing explosives, possessing an infernal machine, reckless conduct with a deadly weapon, and second degree assault, police said. Steven Porter, BostonGlobe.com, 28 Apr. 2023 Aycock’s strangely infernal machine upends historical associations between weaving and delicate women’s work, inserting monumental sculpture into the postindustrial dialogue. Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2022 At 5:30 o'clock this afternoon, Lloyd's issued a statement that the Lusitania was believed to have been blown up by an infernal machine. sandiegouniontribune.com, 7 May 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'infernal machine.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1810, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of infernal machine was in 1810

Dictionary Entries Near infernal machine

Cite this Entry

“Infernal machine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infernal%20machine. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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