A simple device, such as a lever, a pulley, or an inclined plane, that alters the magnitude or direction, or both, of an applied force; a simple machine. 机械装置一个简单装置，如杠杆、滑轮或斜面刨，可以改变作用力的大小或方向或同时改变; 简单机械装置
The inventor evolved his complex machine out of a relatively simple device. 发明者把一个相当简单的装置研制成一个复杂的机器。
