what does lathe mean

A lathe is a machine tool that holds and rotates a workpiece about an axis while a fixed cutting tool shapes it, producing objects with symmetry around that axis. Lathes are used for turning, cutting, sanding, threading, and other operations on materials like wood or metal, and can create items from pens and bowls to screws and shafts. The term can also refer to a stationary device used in pottery (potter’s wheel) and has broader meanings in CNC and metalworking contexts.