Final answer:
A complex machine is defined as a power-driven machine that is used to process materials through various techniques, contributing to industrialization and the production of standardized parts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The definition provided describes a complex machine, which is a power-driven machine (or group of machines working together in a coordinated manner), that is not portable by hand while working. This type of machine is used to process materials through a multitude of techniques, including cutting, forming, applying pressure, and employing electrical, thermal, or optical processes. The ultimate purpose of such complex machinery is often to produce standardized, interchangeable parts for a variety of mechanical devices, akin to those used in the production of clocks or guns. This mechanization and specialization are a hallmark of the industrial revolution, such as seen in the work of Lowell's mills, and stand in contrast to 'putting-out system' that preceded the era of machine tools.
Machines dramatically increased the efficiency with which work could be done, changing the dynamics of labor and manufacturing. The transformations brought about by these machines ranged from simple technological advancements like the plane, to complex systems combining multiple simple machines, enabling humans to accomplish tasks more effectively and at a faster rate. The historical progression of these technological advancements brought about the rise of industries and facilitated complex constructions that are visible even in modern times.