catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Mechanical \Me*chan"ic*al\, a. [From Mechanic, a.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. Pertaining to, governed by, or in accordance with,
        mechanics, or the laws of motion; pertaining to the
        quantitative relations of force and matter on a
        macroscopic scale, as distinguished from mental,
        vital, chemical, electrical, electronic, atomic
        etc.; as, mechanical principles; a mechanical theory;
        especially, using only the interactions of solid parts
        against each other; as mechanical brakes, in contrast to
        hydraulic brakes.
        [1913 Webster +PJC]
  
     2. Of or pertaining to a machine or to machinery or tools;
        made or formed by a machine or with tools; as, mechanical
        precision; mechanical products.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              We have also divers mechanical arts.  --Bacon.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Done as if by a machine; uninfluenced by will or emotion;
        proceeding automatically, or by habit, without special
        intention or reflection; as, mechanical singing;
        mechanical verses; mechanical service.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. Made and operated by interaction of forces without a
        directing intelligence; as, a mechanical universe.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     5. Obtained by trial, by measurements, etc.; approximate;
        empirical. See the 2d Note under Geometric.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Mechanical effect, effective power; useful work exerted, as
        by a machine, in a definite time.
  
     Mechanical engineering. See the Note under Engineering.
        
  
     Mechanical maneuvers (Mil.), the application of mechanical
        appliances to the mounting, dismounting, and moving of
        artillery. --Farrow.
  
     Mechanical philosophy, the principles of mechanics applied
        to the investigation of physical phenomena.
  
     Mechanical powers, certain simple instruments, such as the
        lever and its modifications (the wheel and axle and the
        pulley), the inclined plane with its modifications (the
        screw and the wedge), which convert a small force acting
        through a great space into a great force acting through a
        small space, or vice versa, and are used separately or in
        combination.
  
     Mechanical solution (Math.), a solution of a problem by any
        art or contrivance not strictly geometrical, as by means
        of the ruler and compasses, or other instruments.
        [1913 Webster]

  Mechanical \Me*chan"ic*al\, a. [From Mechanic, a.]
     1. Pertaining to, governed by, or in accordance with,
        mechanics, or the laws of motion; pertaining to the
        quantitative relations of force and matter, as
        distinguished from mental, vital, chemical, etc.; as,
        mechanical principles; a mechanical theory; mechanical
        deposits.
  
     2. Of or pertaining to a machine or to machinery or tools;
        made or formed by a machine or with tools; as, mechanical
        precision; mechanical products.
  
              We have also divers mechanical arts.  --Bacon.
  
     3. Done as if by a machine; uninfluenced by will or emotion;
        proceeding automatically, or by habit, without special
        intention or reflection; as, mechanical singing;
        mechanical verses; mechanical service.
  
     4. Made and operated by interaction of forces without a
        directing intelligence; as, a mechanical universe.
  
     5. Obtained by trial, by measurements, etc.; approximate;
        empirical. See the 2d Note under Geometric.
  
     Mechanical effect, effective power; useful work exerted, as
        by a machine, in a definite time.
  
     Mechanical engineering. See the Note under Engineering.
        
  
     Mechanical maneuvers (Mil.), the application of mechanical
        appliances to the mounting, dismounting, and moving of
        artillery. --Farrow.
  
     Mechanical philosophy, the principles of mechanics applied
        to the inverstigation of physical phenomena.
  
     Mechanical powers, certain simple instruments, such as the
        lever and its modifications (the wheel and axle and the
        pulley), the inclined plane with its modifications (the
        screw and the wedge), which convert a small force acting
        through a great space into a great force acting through a
        small space, or vice versa, and are used separately or in
        combination.
  
     Mechanical solution (Math.), a solution of a problem by any
        art or contrivance not strictly geometrical, as by means
        of the ruler and compasses, or other instruments.