mechanism

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the technical aspects of doing something

   a mechanism of social control

2. 2
   noun

   a natural object resembling a machine in structure or function

   the mechanism of the ear

3. 3
   noun

   the atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction

   They determined unique mechanisms for the photochemical reactions.

4. 4
   noun

   Any combination of cams, gears, links, belts, chains and logical mechanical elements.

   A doorknob of whatever roundish shape is effectively a continuum of levers, with the axis of the latching mechanism—known as the spindle—being the fulcrum about which the turning takes place.

5. 5
   noun

   A group of entities, such as objects, that interact together.

   A site that carried [sexually explicit] material, but that gated it off from children through credit cards or other mechanisms to verify the age of the user, would have an acceptable defense under the act.

6. 6
   noun

   device consisting of a piece of machinery

7. 7
   noun

   (philosophy) the philosophical theory that all phenomena can be explained in terms of physical or biological causes

8. 8
   noun

   Any mechanical means for the conversion or control of motion, or the transmission or control of power.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *megʰ-der.? Ancient Greek μηχᾰνή (mēkhănḗ)der. New Latin mechanismuslbor. English mechanism Learned borrowing from New Latin mechanismus, from Ancient Greek μηχανή (mēkhanḗ, “machine”).