A theoretical construct or device with known input and output characteristics but unknown method of operation.
A flight recorder; the brightly colored cockpit voice recorders and flight data recorders in an aircraft designed to aid in determining the cause of an accident.
A device used in phreaking that prevents the calling party from being billed for the call placed.
A type of theater characterized by a lack of decoration or complex mechanisms.
Any similar device on motor vehicles, such as rail event recorders and ship trip recorders.
To focus on the inputs and outputs without worrying about the internal complexity.
A device that directs and controls energy, often in the form of movement or electricity, to produce a certain effect.
A computer.
A person or organisation that seemingly acts like a machine, being particularly efficient, single-minded, or unemotional.
An answering machine or, by extension, voice mail.
Supernatural agency in a poem, or a superhuman being introduced to perform some exploit.
A contrivance in the Ancient Greek theatre for indicating a change of scene, by means of which a god might cross the stage or deliver a divine message; the deus ex machina.
The system of special interest groups that supports a political party, especially in urban areas.
Especially, the group that controls a political or similar organization; a combination of persons acting together for a common purpose, with the agencies which they use.
To make by machinery.
To shape or finish by machinery; (usually, more specifically) to shape subtractively by metal-cutting with machine-controlled toolpaths.