infernal machine
Hidden destructive contraption
An infernal machine is a concealed explosive device designed to kill or destroy—what we now call a bomb.
The term dates from an era when such devices seemed diabolically ingenious: The anarchist's infernal machine was discovered before it could detonate.
The phrase sounds old-fashioned today, largely replaced by more clinical terminology.
The eighteen hundreds
- anarchismPhilosophy rejecting state authority
- regicideMurdering a monarch
- railroadPermanent track for trains
- parcelWrapped item for shipping
Guy Fawkes · Victorian · attempted · plot · king · parliament · assassination · notorious
Murder of a prominent figure
- anarchistOne opposing all governance
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- atrocityUnforgivable mass cruelty
- attackAggressive act against another
threat · target · political · violence · extremist · radical · bombing · massacre
Explosive device or disaster
- detonatorExplosive initiation device
- dynamitePowerful blasting compound
- fuseProtective melting wire
- timerDuration-tracking mechanism
blast · demolition · nitroglycerin · gunpowder · clockwork · triggering · device · mechanism
Intense anticipatory fear
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- horrorExtreme fear or disgust
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- alarmUrgent warning signal
trepidation · menace · sinister · diabolical · ominous · foreboding · nightmare · suspense
19th-century
The eighteen hundreds
- anarchismPhilosophy rejecting state authority
- regicideMurdering a monarch
- railroadPermanent track for trains
Guy Fawkes · parcel · Victorian · attempted · plot · king · parliament · assassination · notorious · era
assassination
Murder of a prominent figure
attack · threat · target · political · violence · extremist · radical · bombing · massacre · manifesto
bomb
Explosive device or disaster
timer · blast · demolition · nitroglycerin · gunpowder · clockwork · triggering · device · mechanism · charge
dread
Intense anticipatory fear
alarm · trepidation · menace · sinister · diabolical · ominous · foreboding · nightmare · suspense · threat
infernal machinedefensive weapon
safety mechanism · security system · fire extinguisher · rescue equipment · shield
infernal machineshield
Handheld defensive armor
armor · bomb disposal robot · mine sweeper · blast shield · bunker
infernal, inferno, infernos, infernally, machine, machines, machinery, machinist, machined