mechanical
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Mechanical is most frequently used as an adjective relating to machinery (mechanical engineering, mechanical ventilation, mechanical failure).
Applied to human behavior, mechanical suggests a lack of feeling or proper engagement: He offered a mechanical response.
In science, mechanical refers to mechanics, the study of forces acting on bodies.
If you are not very mechanical, you’re not good at working with machines.
As a noun, mechanical has particular meanings in various technical fields.
Operating without intervention
- routineRegular sequence of actions
- habitualDone by routine
- unthinkingLacking conscious thought
- roteMemorization through repetition
reflexive · methodical · systematic · monotonous · perfunctory · impersonal · emotionless · robotic
Self-moving mechanical device
- androidMachine resembling a person
- cyborgOrganic-mechanical hybrid entity
- prostheticManufactured body substitute
- bionicMechanically augmented human
mechatronics · cybernetic · manipulator · sensor · droid · synthetic · servo · articulated
Toothed rotating machine parts
- cogsProjections on a wheel
- pulleysGrooved wheels for rope
- leversForce-multiplying pivot bars
- pistonsForce-transferring engine cylinders
bearings · camshaft · crankshaft · flywheel · drivetrain · axle · sprocket · chain
Adjusting for measurement accuracy
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
- micrometerMillionth of a meter
- gaugeStandard of measurement
- alignmentCorrect relative positioning
measurement · specifications · instrumentation · metrology · vernier · caliper · jig · fixture
automatic
Operating without intervention
- routineRegular sequence of actions
- habitualDone by routine
- unthinkingLacking conscious thought
rote · reflexive · methodical · systematic · monotonous · perfunctory · impersonal · emotionless · robotic · uninspired
automaton
Self-moving mechanical device
- androidMachine resembling a person
- cyborgOrganic-mechanical hybrid entity
- prostheticManufactured body substitute
bionic · mechatronics · cybernetic · manipulator · sensor · droid · synthetic · servo · articulated · programmed
gears
Toothed rotating machine parts
pistons · bearings · camshaft · crankshaft · flywheel · drivetrain · axle · sprocket · chain · linkage
calibration
Adjusting for measurement accuracy
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
- micrometerMillionth of a meter
- gaugeStandard of measurement
alignment · measurement · specifications · instrumentation · metrology · vernier · caliper · jig · fixture · dimensional
assembly
Constructing from components
- fabricationDeliberately untrue statement
- weldingHeat-fusing metal pieces
- rivetsPermanent metal fasteners
bolts · screws · fasteners · nuts · chassis · framework · blueprint · metalwork · tooling · forge
- energyelectricity, power, oil, fuel, gas
- artificialartificial, synthetic, man-made, manufactured, fabricated
- robotic traitsautomated, programmed, monotone, machinelike, robotic
- thoughtlessthoughtless, unthinking, mindless, unreflective, unconsidered
- technical adjectivesadjustable, modular, portable, durable, automated
- tenderizingtenderizer, mallet, meat mallet, meat tenderizer, pounding
mechanicalmanual
Written instructions for use
hand-operated · human-powered · nonmechanical · handmade · hand-crafted
- mechanical pencilRetractable lead writing device
- auto mechanicVehicle repair specialist
- mechanical systemsAssemblies using motion and force
- mechanical bullMotorized rodeo simulator
- mechanical failureEquipment stops working properly
- quantum mechanicsPhysics at nanoscopic scales