Main Entry:

¹me·chan·i·cal

Pronunciation:

\mi-ˈka-ni-kəl\

Function:

adjective

Date:

15th century

1 a (1): of or relating to machinery or tools <mechanical applications of science> <a mechanical genius> <mechanical aptitude> (2): produced or operated by a machine or tool <mechanical power> <a mechanical refrigerator> <a mechanical saw> b: of or relating to manual operations2: of or relating to artisans or machinists <the mechanical trades>3 a: done as if by machine : seemingly uninfluenced by the mind or emotions : automatic b: of or relating to technicalities or petty matters4 a: relating to, governed by, or in accordance with the principles of mechanics <mechanical energy> b: relating to the quantitative relations of force and matter <mechanical pressure of wind on a tower>5: caused by, resulting from, or relating to a process that involves a purely physical as opposed to a chemical or biological change or process <mechanical erosion of rock>

synonyms see spontaneous

— me·chan·i·cal·ly \-ni-k(ə-)lē\ adverb