1me·chan·i·cal
adj \mi-ˈka-ni-kəl\Definition of MECHANICAL
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 operations
2
: 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 b : of or relating to technicalities or petty matters
4
a : relating to, governed by, or in accordance with the principles of mechanics <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>
— me·chan·i·cal·ly \-ni-k(ə-)lē\ adverb
See Examples of MECHANICAL
- The flight was delayed because of mechanical problems.
- I was impressed by her mechanical know-how.
- She gave a mechanical reply.
- Copying down the numbers is a boring and mechanical job.
- The actor gave a stiff and mechanical performance.
First Known Use of MECHANICAL
15th century
Related to MECHANICAL
Synonyms: instinctive, instinctual, involuntary, knee-jerk, mechanic, automatic, robotic, spontaneous
Antonyms: nonmechanical
Related Words: conditioned, natural, Pavlovian, reactive, reflex, simple, subliminal, unconscious, unforced, visceral; blind, inadvertent, unintended, unintentional, unwilling, unwitting; abrupt, quick, ready, sudden; ad-lib, extemporaneous, extempore, impromptu, improvised, offhand, offhanded, off-the-cuff, snap, spur-of-the-moment, unconsidered, unplanned, unpremeditated, unprepared, unprompted, unreasoned, unrehearsed, unstudied; casual, chance, chancy, haphazard, hasty, hit-or-miss, impetuous, impulsive, mindless, random, rash
Near Antonyms: calculated, conscious, cultivated, deliberate, designed, intended, intentional, predetermined, prepared, projected, refined, rehearsed, volitional, voluntary, willed, willful (or wilful); advised, aforethought, careful, considered, foresighted, forethoughtful, measured, meticulous, reasoned, studied, thoughtful
See Synonym Discussion at spontaneous
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Rhymes with MECHANICAL
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