A tabulating machine is a device used for counting, sorting, and storing data. Some synonyms for this term include tabulator, sorting machine, tally machine, and counting device. A tabulator is often used when dealing with large amounts of numerical information. Sorting machines are used to categorize information according to predefined criteria. Tally machines are designed to keep track of the total number of items counted. A counting device, on the other hand, is a machine that counts items and produces a numerical output. All of these synonyms refer to tools that are essential in data processing and management. They each have specific features that make them suitable for certain tasks, but essentially all have the same goal - to assist in efficiently organizing and processing data.