Animal mechanics
(Physiol.),
that portion of physiology which has for its object the investigation of
the laws of equilibrium and motion in the animal body. The most important mechanical principle is that
of the lever, the bones forming the arms of the levers, the contractile muscles the power, the joints the
fulcra or points of support, while the weight of the body or of the individual limbs constitutes the weight
or resistance. — Applied mechanics, the principles of abstract mechanics applied to human art; also,
the practical application of the laws of matter and motion to the construction of machines and structures
of all kinds.
Mechanism
(Mech"an*ism) n. [Cf. F. mécanisme, L. mechanisma. See Mechanic.]
1. The arrangement or relation of the parts of a machine; the parts of a machine, taken collectively; the
arrangement or relation of the parts of anything as adapted to produce an effect; as, the mechanism of
a watch; the mechanism of a sewing machine; the mechanism of a seed pod.
2. Mechanical operation or action.
He acknowledges nothing besides matter and motion; so that all must be performed either by mechanism
or accident.
Bentley. 3. (Kinematics) An ideal machine; a combination of movable bodies constituting a machine, but considered
only with regard to relative movements.
Mechanist
(Mech"an*ist), n.
1. A maker of machines; one skilled in mechanics.
2. One who regards the phenomena of nature as the effects of forces merely mechanical.
Mechanize
(Mech"an*ize) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mechanized ; p. pr. & vb. n. Mechanizing ] [Cf. F.
méchaniser.] To cause to be mechanical. Shelley.
Mechanograph
(Mech"an*o*graph) n. [Gr. mhchanh` machine + -graph.] One of a number of copies
of anything multiplied mechanically.
Mechanographic
(Mech`an*o*graph`ic) a.
1. Treating of mechanics. [R.]
2. Written, copied, or recorded by machinery; produced by mechanography; as, a mechanographic record
of changes of temperature; mechanographic prints.
Mechanographist
(Mech`an*og"ra*phist) n. An artist who, by mechanical means, multiplies copies of
works of art.
Mechanography
(Mech`an*og"ra*phy) n. The art of mechanically multiplying copies of a writing, or any
work of art.
Mechanurgy
(Mech"an*ur`gy) n. [Gr. mhchanh` machine + the root of work.] That branch of science
which treats of moving machines.
Mechitarist
(Mech"i*tar*ist) n. [From Mechitar, an Armenian., who founded the congregation in the
early part of the eighteenth century.] (Eccl. Hist.) One of a religious congregation of the Roman Catholic
Church devoted to the improvement of Armenians.
Mechlin
(Mech"lin) n. A kind of lace made at, or originating in, Mechlin, in Belgium.