A computer or Special hardware that StoreS and retrieveS data from a databaSe. It iSSpecially deSigned for databaSe acceSS and iS coupled to the main (front-end) computer(S) by a high-Speed channel. ThiS contraStS with a databaSe Server, which iS a computer in a {local area network} that holdS a databaSe. The databaSe machine iS tightly coupled to the main CPU, whereaS the databaSe Server iS looSely coupled via the network. [Example?] (2004-03-11)