mechanism

1 the atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction; "he determined unique mechanisms for the photochemical reactions" [syn: chemical mechanism]

2 the technical aspects of doing something; "a mechanism of social control"; "mechanisms of communication"; "the mechanics of prose style" [syn: mechanics]

3 a natural object resembling a machine in structure or function; "the mechanism of the ear"; "the mechanism of infection"

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

5 device consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts that perform some function

English

Etymology

From mechanismus < Greek mekhane, "machine"

Pronunciation

• /ˈmɛkənɪzm/, /"mEk@nIzm/

Noun

1. Within a machine or machinery; any mechanical means for the conversion or control of motion, or the transmission or control of power
2. Any combination of cams, gears, links, belts, chains and logical mechanical elements
3. A group of objects or parts that interact together. (as in Political machine)
4. A mental, physical or chemical process.
5. A theory that all natural phenomena can be explained by physical causes.

Translations

• Croatian: mehanizam
• French: mechanismus
• German: Mechanismus

Mechanism may refer to:

• Mechanism (biology), explaining how a feature is created.
• Mechanism (chemistry), explaining a reaction pathway.
• Mechanism (philosophy), a theory that all natural phenomena can be explained by physical causes
• Mechanism (horology), a piece of a time-keeping device
• Mechanism (sociology), a set of rules designed to bring about a certain outcome
• Mechanism (technology), a device of which a mechanical joint is used

See also

• Mechanism design, the art of designing rules of a game to achieve a specific outcome
• Mechanism of action, the means by which a drug exerts its biological effects
• Defence mechanism, unconscious mechanisms aimed at reducing anxiety
• Reaction mechanism, the sequence of reactions by which overall chemical change occurs
• Antikythera mechanism, an ancient Greek analog computer

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