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factory

 - 3 dictionary results

fac⋅to⋅ry

  [fak-tuh-ree, -tree]
Use factory in a Sentence
–noun, plural -ries.
1. a building or group of buildings with facilities for the manufacture of goods.
2. any place producing a uniform product, without concern for individuality: They call it a law school, but it's just a degree factory.
3. (formerly) an establishment for factors and merchants carrying on business in a foreign country.
Origin:
1550–60; < ML factōria. See factor, -y 3

Related forms:
fac⋅to⋅ry⋅like, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To factory
fac·to·ry   (fāk'tə-rē)   
n.   pl. fac·to·ries

    1. A building or group of buildings in which goods are manufactured; a plant.

    2. A vessel in which newly caught seafood is prepared for shipment and sale: a floating fish factory.

  2. A business establishment for commercial agents or factors in a foreign country.

  3. The source of prolific production: a rock group that was a hit-tune factory; a motel that served as an illegal drug factory.


[Late Latin factōria, oil press, mill, and Medieval Latin factōria, establishment for factors, both from Latin factor, factor; see factor.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

factory 
1560, "estate manager's office," from M.Fr. factorie, from L.L. factorium "office for agents (factors)," also "oil press, mill," from L. factor "doer, maker." Sense of "building for making goods" is first attested 1618.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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