underdimensionerad

17:33 Jun 4, 2010 

Actually, after studying the question closer, I see that the complaint states that the machine "was inadequate as well as broken down". If it is inadequate because of size, capacity, power, etc. is really irrelevant it just did not do the job.

07:01 Jun 4, 2010 

In my case, it was insufficient power capacity

06:45 Jun 4, 2010 

In the context, it don't think the actual physical size of the unit is the important information, but rather its capacity/power.

23:38 Jun 3, 2010 

As asptech points out, it means that it is too small. That is what the word "underdimensionerad" means in Swedish - too small, of insufficient size, not of appropriate size for the job to be done.

11:09 Jun 3, 2010 

- and a George Hopkins points out, something like inadequately dimensioned is not necessarily the same as too small.

11:07 Jun 3, 2010 

The context is that it does not have enough reliable power.

11:01 Jun 3, 2010 

How do you know that it means 'too small'? It doesn't say so. 'Underdimensionerad' can mean that it is too weak or has too little capacity, for example.

10:11 Jun 3, 2010 

"Underdimensionerad" in this context means "too small" ("undersized" would be a correct synonym). "Dimensioning" in English = "måttsättning" in Swedish.

It seems that I should be ashamed for not knowing what a term in my own language means. But after a lifetime in Swedish engineering, I feel pretty confident about it - and I did write "in this context".

09:26 Jun 3, 2010 

This is a fun discussion to follow!! Nice headings.

09:15 Jun 3, 2010 

I would personally avoid undersized in this context. It may be a matter of design rather than size, ie, poor dimensioning.

08:59 Jun 3, 2010 

you could use "underpowered", perhaps?

08:57 Jun 3, 2010 

Agreed. "Dimensioned" in this context is rather forced. ON the other hand, Engström's Swedish-English Technical Dictionary does indicate that "dimensioned" is correct. Interesting.

08:44 Jun 3, 2010 

A lot of the top level hits I get from googling ´dimensioned´ are Scandinavian or Dutch websites, or others that may or may not be entirely standard English.
Longmans Contemporary English and the Oxford Advanced Learner´s Dictionary do not give it as a verb, and the Concise Oxford admits it as a verb, but observes: ´usally as an adjective, dimensioned´

I would probably accept it if proofreading, but prefer to avoid it myself!