μηχανή μῆχος = Lat. machina: an instrument, machine for lifting weights and the like, Hdt.; μ. Ποσειδῶνος, of the trident, Aesch.; λαοπόροις μ., of Xerxesʼ bridge of boats, Aesch. an engine of war, Thuc. a theatrical machine, by which gods were made to appear in the air, Plat.: hence proverb. of any sudden appearance, ὥσπερ ἀπὸ μηχανῆς (cf. Lat. deus ex machina), Dem. any contrivance, for doing a thing, Hdt., etc.: in pl. μηχαναί, shifts, devices, arts, wiles, Hes., Attic; μηχαναῖς Διός by the arts of Zeus, Aesch.; proverb., μηχαναὶ Σισύφου Ar.:—Phrases, μηχανήν or μηχανὰς προσφέρειν Eur.; εὑρίσκειν Aesch., etc.:—c. gen., μ. κακῶν a contrivance against ills, Eur.; but, μ. σωτηρίας a way of providing safety, Aesch. οὐδεμία μηχανή ἐστι ὅπως οὐ, c. fut., Hdt.; also, μὴ οὐ, c. inf., Hdt. in adverb, phrases, ἐκ μηχανῆς τινος in some way or other, Hdt.; μηδεμιῆι μηχανῆι by no means whatsoever, Hdt.