- mechanism
- mechanism 1660s, from Mod.L. mechanismus, from Gk. mekhane "machine, instrument" (see MACHINE (Cf. machine) (n.)).
Etymology dictionary. 2014.
mechanism
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Mechanism — • There is no constant meaning in the history of philosophy for the word Mechanism. Originally, the term meant that cosmological theory which ascribes the motion and changes of the world to some external force Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight … Catholic encyclopedia
mechanism — mech‧a‧nis‧m [ˈmekənɪzm] noun [countable] a system used to achieve something or deal with a problem: • The increased lending can be done through existing lending mechanisms. • There is a move to introduce free market mechanisms in the airline… … Financial and business terms
Mechanism — may refer to: Mechanism (engineering), rigid bodies connected by joints in order to accomplish a desired force and/or motion transmission Mechanism (biology), explaining how a feature is created Mechanism (philosophy), a theory that all natural… … Wikipedia
Mechanism — Mech an*ism, n. [Cf. F. m[ e]canisme, L. mechanisma. See {Mechanic}.] 1. The arrangement or relation of the parts of a machine; the parts of a machine, taken collectively; the arrangement or relation of the parts of anything as adapted to produce … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
mechanism — [mek′ə niz΄əm] n. [ModL mechanismus < Gr mēchanē, MACHINE] 1. the working parts or arrangement of parts of a machine; works [the mechanism of a clock] 2. a) a system whose parts work together like those of a machine [the mechanism of the… … English World dictionary
mechanism — [n1] machine, device apparatus, appliance, black box*, components, contrivance, doohickey*, gadget, gears, gimmick, innards, instrument, machinery, motor, structure, system, tool, workings, works; concept 463 mechanism [n2] means, method agency,… … New thesaurus
mechanism — index appliance, contrivance, expedient, facility (instrumentality), forum (medium), instrument ( … Law dictionary
mechanism — *machine, machinery, apparatus, engine, motor … New Dictionary of Synonyms
mechanism — ► NOUN 1) a piece of machinery. 2) the way in which something works or is brought about … English terms dictionary
mechanism — noun 1 part of a machine ADJECTIVE ▪ firing, locking, steering, trigger, winding VERB + MECHANISM ▪ activate ▪ This ac … Collocations dictionary
