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bionics

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bi⋅on⋅ics

[bahy-on-iks]
–noun (used with a singular verb)
the study of how humans and animals perform certain tasks and solve certain problems, and of the application of the findings to the design of electronic devices and mechanical parts.

Origin:
1955–60; bio(logy) + (electro)nics
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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bi·on·ics   (bī-ŏn'ĭks)   
n.   (used with a sing. verb)
Application of biological principles to the study and design of engineering systems, especially electronic systems.

[bi(o)- + (electr)onics.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

bionics 
1959, coined from bi(o)- (see bio-) + (electr)onic. The adj. form bionic is from 1963.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: bi·on·ics
Pronunciation: bI-'än-iks
Function: noun plural but singular or plural in construction
: a science concerned withthe application of data about the functioning of biological systems to the solution of engineering problems
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

bionics bi·on·ics (bī-ŏn'ĭks)
n.
The science of biological functions and mechanisms as analogous to electronics, using knowledge of human and other animal systems to devise improvements in various machines, especially computers.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
bionics   (bī-ŏn'ĭks)  Pronunciation Key 
The use of a system or design found in nature, such as the ability of plants to store solar energy or the aerodynamic design of bird wings, as a model for designing machines and other artificial systems.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Encyclopedia

bionics

science of constructing artificial systems that have some of the characteristics of living systems. Bionics is not a specialized science but an interscience discipline; it may be compared with cybernetics. Bionics and cybernetics have been called the two sides of the same coin. Both use models of living systems, bionics in order to find new ideas for useful artificial machines and systems, cybernetics to seek the explanation of living beings' behaviour.

Learn more about bionics with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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