I. mi-ˈka-ni-kəl adjective
Date: 15th century
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
her singing was cold and mechanical
b. : of or relating to technicalities or petty matters
4.
a. : relating to, governed by, or in accordance with the principles of mechanics
mechanical work
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
Synonyms: see spontaneous
• me·chan·i·cal·ly -ni-k(ə-)lē adverb
II. noun
Date: 1600
1. obsolete : mechanic 1
2. : a piece of finished copy consisting typically of type proofs and artwork positioned and mounted for photomechanical reproduction