I. ˈteknə̇kəl, -nēk- adjective
Etymology: Greek technikos of art, skillful, practical (from technē art, craft, practical skill + -ikos -ic) + English -al; akin to Greek tektōn carpenter, builder, Sanskrit takṣan carpenter, takṣati he forms, constructs, Latin texere to weave, construct, Old High German dehsa hatchet, dahs badger
1.
a. : having special usually practical knowledge especially of a mechanical or scientific subject
the construction of the thermonuclear weapon was a great challenge to the technical people of this country — Edward Teller
b. : marked by or characteristic of specialization
highly technical matters hardly suitable for popular lecturing — William James
technical language
2. : of or relating to a particular subject
outlined his technical qualifications for the office of comptroller
especially : of or relating to a practical subject that is organized on modern scientific principles
is a college of liberal arts and sciences and does not undertake to provide a technical training — Encyc. Americana
all types of technical books ranging from radio and electronics to field crops and dairying — Saturday Review
the rapidly changing conditions of a technical society — Reinhold Niebuhr
3.
a. : according to a strict legal interpretation
had no knowledge of the crimes although he was in technical command of the men who committed them — Time
b. : created by the constructions of laws or rules — see technical felony , technical knockout
4. : of or relating to technique
the absence of genuine technical innovation in the majority of the novels of the second war — J.W.Aldridge
no amount of technical skill and craftsmanship can take the place of vital interest — John Dewey
5. : of or relating to the production of chemicals by ordinary commercial processes ; especially : produced by ordinary commercial processes often on a large scale
technical sulfuric acid
— compare commercial 1e
6. : chiefly resulting from or depending on internal market factors (as price changes and volume) rather than fundamental economic considerations
the late burst of demand … yesterday was interpreted by most analysts as confirming their forecasts that the market is due for a technical rally — C.J.Elia
• tech·ni·cal·ly -nə̇k(ə)lē, -nēk-, -li adverb
• tech·ni·cal·ness noun -es
II. noun
( -s )
: technic 1