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mechanics

 - 8 dictionary results

me⋅chan⋅ics

[muh-kan-iks]
–noun
1. (used with a singular verb) the branch of physics that deals with the action of forces on bodies and with motion, comprised of kinetics, statics, and kinematics.
2. (used with a singular verb) the theoretical and practical application of this science to machinery, mechanical appliances, etc.
3. (usually used with a plural verb) the technical aspect or working part; mechanism; structure.
4. (usually used with a plural verb) routine or basic methods, procedures, techniques, or details: the mechanics of running an office; the mechanics of baseball.

Origin:
1640–50; see mechanic, -ics

me⋅chan⋅ic

[muh-kan-ik]
–noun
1. a person who repairs and maintains machinery, motors, etc.: an automobile mechanic.
2. a worker who is skilled in the use of tools, machines, equipment, etc.
3. Slang. a person skilled in the dishonest handling of cards, dice, or other objects used in games of chance.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME: mechanical < L mēchanicus < Gk mēchanikós, equiv. to mēchan() machine + -ikos -ic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To mechanics
me·chan·ic   (mĭ-kān'ĭk)   
n.  A worker skilled in making, using, or repairing machines, vehicles, and tools.

[From Middle English, mechanical, from Old French mecanique, from Latin mēchanicus, from Greek mēkhanikos, from mēkhanē, machine, device; see magh- in Indo-European roots.]
me·chan'ic adj.
me·chan·ics   (mĭ-kān'ĭks)   
n.  
  1. (used with a sing. verb) The branch of physics that is concerned with the analysis of the action of forces on matter or material systems.

  2. (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Design, construction, and use of machinery or mechanical structures.

  3. (used with a pl. verb) The functional and technical aspects of an activity: The mechanics of football are learned with practice.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

mechanics

The branch of physics that deals with the motion of material objects. The term mechanics generally refers to the motion of large objects, whereas the study of motion at the level of the atom or smaller is the domain of quantum mechanics.

Note: The basic laws of mechanics are Newton's laws of motion.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

mechanic 
1549 (adj.) "pertaining to or involving mechanical labor" (now usually mechanical), from L. mechanicus (n. and adj.), from Gk. mekhanikos "an engineer" (n.), also "resourceful, inventive," lit. "pertaining to machines" (adj.), from mekhane (see machine). The noun meaning originally was "manual laborer" (1390); sense of "one who is employed in manual labor, a handicraft worker, an artisan (chief sense through early 19c.) is attested from 1562. The adj. meaning "of the nature of or pertaining to machines" is from 1625; the noun sense of "skilled workman who is concerned with making or repair of machinery" is from 1662, but not the main sense until the rise of the automobile. Mechanical is attested from 1432 in the sense "of or pertaining to machines;" of persons or human actions, "resembling machines, automatic" it is from 1607. Mechanize is attested from 1678.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: me·chan·ics
Pronunciation: mi-'kan-iks
Function: noun plural but singular or plural in construction
: a branch of physical sciencethat deals with energy and forces and their effect on material bodies
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

mechanics me·chan·ics (mĭ-kān'ĭks)
n.

  1. The branch of physics concerned with the analysis of the action of forces on matter or material systems.

  2. The design, construction, and use of machinery or of mechanical structures.

  3. The functional and technical aspects of an activity.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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