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MECHANISM
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I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
The technical aspects of doing something
Example:
the mechanics of prose style
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("mechanism" is a kind of...):
carrying into action; carrying out; execution; performance (the act of performing; of doing something successfully; using knowledge as distinguished from merely possessing it)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Device consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts that perform some function
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("mechanism" is a kind of...):
device (an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "mechanism"):
workings; works (the internal mechanism of a device)
whirler (a revolving mechanism)
tape drive; tape transport; transport (a mechanism that transports magnetic tape across the read/write heads of a tape playback/recorder)
steering mechanism; steering system (a mechanism by which something is steered (especially a motor vehicle))
steering linkage (mechanism consisting of a system of rods and levers connected to the front wheels of a motor vehicle; the steering gear pushes it left or right which swivels the front wheels, causing the vehicle to turn)
rotating mechanism (a mechanism that rotates)
radiator (a mechanism consisting of a metal honeycomb through which hot fluids circulate; heat is transferred from the fluid through the honeycomb to the airstream that is created either by the motion of the vehicle or by a fan)
mechanical device (mechanism consisting of a device that works on mechanical principles)
lock (a mechanism that detonates the charge of a gun)
ignition; ignition system (the mechanism that ignites the fuel in an internal-combustion engine)
hydraulic system (a mechanism operated by the resistance offered or the pressure transmitted when a liquid is forced through a small opening or tube)
homing device (the mechanism in a guided missile that guides it toward its objective)
gear; gear mechanism (a mechanism for transmitting motion for some specific purpose (as the steering gear of a vehicle))
film advance (a mechanism for advancing film in a camera or projector)
action; action mechanism (the operating part that transmits power to a mechanism)
actuator (a mechanism that puts something into automatic action)
automaton; golem; robot (a mechanism that can move automatically)
axis; axis of rotation (the center around which something rotates)
carriage (a machine part that carries something else)
cartridge ejector; ejector (a mechanism in a firearm that ejects the empty shell case after firing)
cartridge extractor; cartridge remover; extractor (a mechanism in a firearm that pulls an empty shell case out of the chamber and passes it to the ejector)
clockwork (any mechanism of geared wheels that is driven by a coiled spring; resembles the works of a mechanical clock)
control; controller (a mechanism that controls the operation of a machine)
cooling; cooling system (a mechanism for keeping something cool)
delayed action (a mechanism that automatically delays the release of a camera shutter for a fixed period of time so that the photographer can appear in the picture)
drive (a mechanism by which force or power is transmitted in a machine)
drive line; drive line system (mechanism that transmits power from the engine to the driving wheels of a motor vehicle)
fail-safe (a mechanism capable of returning to a safe state in case there is a failure or malfunction)
Derivation:
mechanical (using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices)
Sense 3
Meaning:
(philosophy) the philosophical theory that all phenomena can be explained in terms of physical or biological causes
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("mechanism" is a kind of...):
philosophical doctrine; philosophical theory (a doctrine accepted by adherents to a philosophy)
Domain category:
philosophy (the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics)
Derivation:
mechanist (a philosopher who subscribes to the doctrine of mechanism)
mechanistic (of or relating to the philosophical theory of mechanism)
Sense 4
Meaning:
A natural object resembling a machine in structure or function
Example:
the mechanism of infection
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made)
Hypernyms ("mechanism" is a kind of...):
natural object (an object occurring naturally; not made by man)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "mechanism"):
barrier (anything serving to maintain separation by obstructing vision or access)
transmission mechanism (any mechanism whereby an infectious agent is spread from a reservoir to a human being)
biological clock (an innate mechanism in living organisms that controls the periodicity of many physiological functions)
Derivation:
mechanistic (explained in terms of physical forces)
Sense 5
Meaning:
The atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction
Example:
he determined unique mechanisms for the photochemical reactions
Synonyms:
chemical mechanism; mechanism
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural processes
Hypernyms ("mechanism" is a kind of...):
chemical action; chemical change; chemical process ((chemistry) any process determined by the atomic and molecular composition and structure of the substances involved)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "mechanism"):
biochemical mechanism (a chemical mechanism involved in vital processes occurring in living organisms)
Context examples:
The mechanism by which a life is ended.
(Method of Termination of Life, NCI Thesaurus)
The mechanisms by which GR might induce the various aspects of the metabolic syndrome are a key area of research.
(Metabolic Syndrome Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)
While scientists have previously shown in plants and animals that movement of RNA between cells within an organism is possible, these findings identify a molecular mechanism for transmission of RNA molecules between organisms.
(Discovery of RNA transfer through royal jelly could aid development of honey bee vaccines, University of Cambridge)
Although the exact mechanism by which acotiamide exerts its effect has yet to be fully elucidated, this agent appears to inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AchE), an enzyme responsible for the breakdown of acetylcholine (Ach).
(Acotiamide, NCI Thesaurus)
He watched his moving muscles and was interested in the cunning mechanism of his fingers.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
It is being investigated for use in targeting tumors for death by a suicide mechanism.
(Adenovirus Death Protein, NCI Thesaurus)
These cells contribute to wound repair through a variety of mechanisms by promoting blood vessel growth and blocking apoptosis.
(Adipose-Derived Regenerative Cells, NCI Thesaurus)
AHRQ uses mechanisms of grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to carry out research projects, demonstrations, evaluations, and knowledge dissemination.
(Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, NCI Thesaurus)
Melanin-containing melanosomes then move from the perinuclear region to the dendrite tips and are transferred to keratinocytes by a still not well-characterized mechanism.
(Melanogenesis Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/KEGG)
Although the exact mechanism remains to be elucidated, mefloquine, a weak base, preferentially accumulates in lysosomes and disrupts lysosomal function and integrity, thereby leading to host cell death.
(Mefloquine, NCI Thesaurus)
