mech·a·nism (m k  -n z m)n. 1. a. A machine or mechanical appliance. b. The arrangement of connected parts in a machine. 2. A system of parts that operate or interact like those of a machine: the mechanism of the solar system. 3. An instrument or a process, physical or mental, by which something is done or comes into being: "The mechanism of oral learning is largely that of continuous repetition" (T.G.E. Powell). 4. A habitual manner of acting to achieve an end. 5. Biology The involuntary and consistent response of an organism to a given stimulus. 6. Psychology A usually unconscious mental and emotional pattern that shapes behavior in a given situation or environment: a defense mechanism. 7. The sequence of steps in a chemical reaction. 8. Philosophy The doctrine that all natural phenomena are explicable by material causes and mechanical principles. [New Latin m  chanismus, from Late Latin mchanisma, from Greek mkhan, machine; see mechanic.] |
mechanism [ˈmɛkəˌnɪzəm]
n
1. (Engineering / Mechanical Engineering) a system or structure of moving parts that performs some function, esp in a machine
2. something resembling a machine in the arrangement and working of its parts the mechanism of the ear
3. (Engineering / Mechanical Engineering) any form of mechanical device or any part of such a device
4. a process or technique, esp of execution the mechanism of novel writing
5. (Philosophy) Philosophy
a. the doctrine that human action can be explained in purely physical terms, whether mechanical or biological
b. the explanation of phenomena in causal rather than teleological or essentialist terms
c. the view that the task of science is to seek such explanations
6. (Psychoanalysis) Psychoanal
a. the ways in which psychological forces interact and operate
b. a structure having an influence on the behaviour of a person, such as a defence mechanism
mechanism
1. the theory that everything in the universe is produced by matter in process, capable of explanation by the laws of chemistry and physics.
2. the theory that a natural process is machinelike or is explainable in terms of Newtonian mechanics. — mechanist, n. — mechanistic, adj.
See also: Philosophy2. the theory that a natural process is machinelike or is explainable in terms of Newtonian mechanics. — mechanist, n. — mechanistic, adj.
Philosophy. the theory or doctrine that all the phenomena of the universe, especially life, can ultimately be explained in terms of physics and chemistry and that the difference between organic and inorganic lies only in degree. Cf. vitalism. — mechanist, n. — mechanistic, adj.
See also: Life
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  mechanism - the atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction; "he determined unique mechanisms for the photochemical reactions"biochemical mechanism - a chemical mechanism involved in vital processes occurring in living organisms chemical action, chemical change, chemical process - (chemistry) any process determined by the atomic and molecular composition and structure of the substances involved |
| 2. | mechanism - the technical aspects of doing something; "a mechanism of social control"; "mechanisms of communication"; "the mechanics of prose style" carrying into action, carrying out, execution, performance - the act of performing; of doing something successfully; using knowledge as distinguished from merely possessing it; "they criticised his performance as mayor"; "experience generally improves performance" | |
| 3. | mechanism - a natural object resembling a machine in structure or function; "the mechanism of the ear"; "the mechanism of infection" natural object - an object occurring naturally; not made by man barrier - anything serving to maintain separation by obstructing vision or access transmission mechanism - any mechanism whereby an infectious agent is spread from a reservoir to a human being biological clock - an innate mechanism in living organisms that controls the periodicity of many physiological functions | |
| 4. | mechanism - (philosophy) the philosophical theory that all phenomena can be explained in terms of physical or biological causes philosophy - the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics philosophical doctrine, philosophical theory - a doctrine accepted by adherents to a philosophy | |
| 5. | mechanism - device consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts that perform some function action mechanism, action - the operating part that transmits power to a mechanism; "the piano had a very stiff action" actuator - a mechanism that puts something into automatic action axis of rotation, axis - the center around which something rotates carriage - a machine part that carries something else cartridge ejector, ejector - a mechanism in a firearm that ejects the empty shell case after firing cartridge extractor, cartridge remover, extractor - a mechanism in a firearm that pulls an empty shell case out of the chamber and passes it to the ejector clockwork - any mechanism of geared wheels that is driven by a coiled spring; resembles the works of a mechanical clock controller, control - a mechanism that controls the operation of a machine; "the speed controller on his turntable was not working properly"; "I turned the controls over to her" cooling, cooling system - a mechanism for keeping something cool; "the cooling was overhead fans" delayed action - a mechanism that automatically delays the release of a camera shutter for a fixed period of time so that the photographer can appear in the picture device - an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose; "the device is small enough to wear on your wrist"; "a device intended to conserve water" drive - a mechanism by which force or power is transmitted in a machine; "a variable speed drive permitted operation through a range of speeds" drive line, drive line system - mechanism that transmits power from the engine to the driving wheels of a motor vehicle fail-safe - a mechanism capable of returning to a safe state in case there is a failure or malfunction film advance - a mechanism for advancing film in a camera or projector gear mechanism, gear - a mechanism for transmitting motion for some specific purpose (as the steering gear of a vehicle) homing device - the mechanism in a guided missile that guides it toward its objective hydraulic system - a mechanism operated by the resistance offered or the pressure transmitted when a liquid is forced through a small opening or tube ignition system, ignition - the mechanism that ignites the fuel in an internal-combustion engine lock - a mechanism that detonates the charge of a gun mechanical device - mechanism consisting of a device that works on mechanical principles radiator - a mechanism consisting of a metal honeycomb through which hot fluids circulate; heat is transferred from the fluid through the honeycomb to the airstream that is created either by the motion of the vehicle or by a fan rotating mechanism - a mechanism that rotates steering linkage - mechanism consisting of a system of rods and levers connected to the front wheels of a motor vehicle; the steering gear pushes it left or right which swivels the front wheels, causing the vehicle to turn steering mechanism, steering system - a mechanism by which something is steered (especially a motor vehicle) tape drive, tape transport, transport - a mechanism that transports magnetic tape across the read/write heads of a tape playback/recorder whirler - a revolving mechanism |
mechanism
noun
1. workings, motor, gears, works, action, components, machinery, innards (informal) the locking mechanism
2. process, workings, way, means, system, performance, operation, medium, agency, method, functioning, technique, procedure, execution, methodology the clumsy mechanism of price controls
3. machine, system, structure, device, tool, instrument, appliance, apparatus, contrivance The heat-producing mechanism will switch itself on automatically.
Translations
mechanism
n → Mechanismus m
How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.
| ?Page tools | ||
|---|---|---|
|