adding-machine

The clerk uses an adding-machine to total the day's receipts.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Mechanical or electronic calculating device: "adding-machine" refers to a device, historically mechanical but now often electronic, designed primarily to perform addition and sometimes other arithmetic operations, such as subtraction, multiplication, or division. It is typically used in offices or accounting contexts to tally numbers quickly.

Usage Examples

• (A mechanical device for addition.)
• (A device for basic arithmetic.)
• (A device that prints results on a roll of paper.)

Advanced Usage

• "to run numbers through an adding-machine": to perform calculations or verify figures using such a device.

  • The clerk ran the daily sales figures through the adding-machine to ensure accuracy. (He used the device to add and check the numbers.)

• "adding-machine tape": the roll of paper that records the input and output of the adding-machine.

  • The adding-machine tape showed a long list of entries and the final total. (The printed record from the device.)

Variants and Related Words

• Adding (adj): used to describe something that performs addition or increases a total.

  • The adding function on the calculator is very simple. (The operation that sums numbers.)

• Machine (n): a device that uses mechanical or electrical power to perform tasks.

  • The coffee machine makes a fresh cup every time. (A device for a specific purpose.)

Synonyms

• Calculator: a device for performing mathematical operations (modern electronic version).

  • The student used a calculator instead of an adding-machine. (A more advanced device.)

• Tabulator: a machine that arranges data in tables or counts items (similar in function).

  • The tabulator was used to organize census data. (A counting and listing device.)

Related Idioms

• "Like an adding-machine": used to describe someone who calculates numbers very quickly and accurately, often mechanically.

  • He can add up figures in his head like an adding-machine. (He is extremely fast and precise at mental arithmetic.)

• "Adding-machine mentality": a mindset focused solely on numbers, calculations, or profit, without considering human factors.

  • The manager's adding-machine mentality ignored the employees' needs. (He only cared about financial totals.)