Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Mechanical \Me*chan"ic*al\, n.
A mechanic. [Obs.] --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Mechanical \Me*chan"ic*al\, a. [From Mechanic, a.]
[1913 Webster]
1. Pertaining to, governed by, or in accordance with,
mechanics, or the laws of motion; pertaining to the
quantitative relations of force and matter on a
macroscopic scale, as distinguished from mental,
vital, chemical, electrical, electronic, atomic
etc.; as, mechanical principles; a mechanical theory;
especially, using only the interactions of solid parts
against each other; as mechanical brakes, in contrast to
hydraulic brakes.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
2. Of or pertaining to a machine or to machinery or tools;
made or formed by a machine or with tools; as, mechanical
precision; mechanical products.
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We have also divers mechanical arts. --Bacon.
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3. Done as if by a machine; uninfluenced by will or emotion;
proceeding automatically, or by habit, without special
intention or reflection; as, mechanical singing;
mechanical verses; mechanical service.
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4. Made and operated by interaction of forces without a
directing intelligence; as, a mechanical universe.
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5. Obtained by trial, by measurements, etc.; approximate;
empirical. See the 2d Note under Geometric.
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Mechanical effect, effective power; useful work exerted, as
by a machine, in a definite time.
Mechanical engineering. See the Note under Engineering.
Mechanical maneuvers (Mil.), the application of mechanical
appliances to the mounting, dismounting, and moving of
artillery. --Farrow.
Mechanical philosophy, the principles of mechanics applied
to the investigation of physical phenomena.
Mechanical powers, certain simple instruments, such as the
lever and its modifications (the wheel and axle and the
pulley), the inclined plane with its modifications (the
screw and the wedge), which convert a small force acting
through a great space into a great force acting through a
small space, or vice versa, and are used separately or in
combination.
Mechanical solution (Math.), a solution of a problem by any
art or contrivance not strictly geometrical, as by means
of the ruler and compasses, or other instruments.
[1913 Webster]
mechanical
adj 1: using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices; "a
mechanical process"; "his smile was very mechanical";
"a mechanical toy" [ant: nonmechanical]
2: relating to or concerned with machinery or tools;
"mechanical arts"; "mechanical design"; "mechanical
skills" [syn: mechanically skillful]
3: relating to or governed by or in accordance with mechanics;
"a belief that the universe is a mechanical contrivance";
"the mechanical pressure of a strong wind"
4: lacking thought or feeling [syn: mechanistic]
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