mechanical

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 <her singing was cold and mechanical> b: of or relating to technicalities or petty matters4 a: relating to, governed by, or in accordance with the principles of mechanics <mechanical work> <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

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