mechanical

 
Pronunciation: /mɪˈkanɪk(ə)l/

adjective

  • 1operated by a machine or machinery: a mechanical device
  • relating to machines or machinery: the helicopters are prone to mechanical failure
  • 2(of an action) done without thought or spontaneity; automatic: she stopped the mechanical brushing of her hair
  • 3relating to physical forces or motion; physical: the smoothness was the result of mechanical abrasion
  • archaic (of a theory) explaining phenomena in terms only of physical processes.
  • archaic relating to mechanics as a science.
  • 4relating to the exclusive legal right to reproduce a particular recorded version of a song or piece of music: mechanical copyright mechanical royalties

noun

  • 1 (mechanicals) the working parts of a vehicle: a major overhaul of the mechanicals
  • 2 (usually mechanicals) archaic a manual worker: rude mechanicals
    [with allusion to Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream]

Derivatives

mechanically

adverb

mechanicalness

noun

Origin:

late Middle English (describing an art or occupation concerned with the construction of machines): via Latin from Greek mēkhanikos (see mechanic) + -al