flatteners
Things that compress
Flatteners are things that make something flat or level.
The term appears in technical contexts—tools that smooth surfaces, chemicals that reduce gloss, or rollers that press materials uniform.
In discussions of globalization, flatteners are forces that level competitive playing fields across nations: Technology and outsourcing are powerful flatteners.
Element twenty-six
- steamHeated water's gaseous form
- pressApply force downward
- wrinklesSurface lines from folding
- fabricWoven or knit material
garment · laundry · ironing board · crisp · crease · linen · clothes · mangle
Reduce volume by force
- crushCompress with force
- squashFlatten by pressure
- squeezeFirm bilateral compression
- pressApply force downward
compact · deflate · collapse · pancake · steamroller · condense · tamp · densify
Winged flying vehicle
- planerWood-smoothing machine
- jointerBoard-flattening machine
- sanderSurface-smoothing power tool
- spokeshaveTool for curving wood
scraper · drawknife · rasp · file · adze · router · belt sander · jack plane
Smooth by rubbing
- buffAvid fan; also burnish
- smoothWithout roughness or difficulty
- sandFine rock particles
- planeWinged flying vehicle
scrape · level · finish · glaze · burnish · sleek · glossy · calendered
Horizontal or uniform position
- equalizeMake uniform or balanced
- homogenizeMake uniformly consistent
- standardizeMake things match norms
- even outMake uniformly level
balance · uniformity · parity · equilibrium · harmonize · neutralize · stabilize · align
iron
Element twenty-six
fabric · garment · laundry · ironing board · crisp · crease · linen · clothes · mangle · roller
compress
Reduce volume by force
press · compact · deflate · collapse · pancake · steamroller · condense · tamp · densify · impaction
plane
Winged flying vehicle
spokeshave · scraper · drawknife · rasp · file · adze · router · belt sander · jack plane · block plane
polish
Smooth by rubbing
plane · scrape · level · finish · glaze · burnish · sleek · glossy · calendered · sheen
level
Horizontal or uniform position
- equalizeMake uniform or balanced
- homogenizeMake uniformly consistent
- standardizeMake things match norms
even out · balance · uniformity · parity · equilibrium · harmonize · neutralize · stabilize · align · calibrate
flattenersinflators
Devices that add air
pumps · expanders · aerators · pressurizers · fillers