different between mechanic vs machinist

English

Alternative forms

• mechanick (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle English mechanike (“mechanic art”), from Old French mecanique, from Latin mechanicus (“of or belonging to machines or mechanics, inventive”), from Ancient Greek ????????? (m?khanikós, “pertaining to machines or contrivance, mechanic, ingenious, inventive”), from ?????? (m?khan?, “a machine, contrivance”); see machine.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation, General American) IPA^(key): /m??kæn?k/
• Rhymes: -æn?k
• Hyphenation: me?chan?ic

Adjective

mechanic

1. (archaic) mechanical; relating to the laws of motion in the art of constructing things

   • these mechanic philosophers
2. (obsolete) Of or relating to a mechanic or artificer, or to the class of artisans; hence, rude; common; vulgar; base.
   • 1654, Richard Whitlock, Zootomia; Or, Observations on the Present Manners of the English

     Authors both Sacred and Profane we see complain of the Level of Learning, with Mechanick Ignorance: [...]

Noun

mechanic (plural mechanics)

1. (now chiefly historical) A manual worker; a labourer or artisan. [from 16th c.]
2. Someone who builds or repairs machinery, a technician; now specifically, someone who works with and repairs the mechanical parts of a motor vehicle, aircraft or similar. [from 17th c.]
3. A device, command, or feature which allows someone to achieve a specific task. [from 20th c.]

4. A hit man. [from 20th c.]
   • 1972, The Mechanic (film title)
5. (gambling) A cheat who manipulates the cards or dice.

   Hyponyms: card mechanic, dice mechanic

Derived terms

• auto mechanic
• card mechanic
• dice mechanic

Related terms

Translations

Further reading

• mechanic in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
• Douglas Harper (2001–2021) , “mechanic”, in Online Etymology Dictionary
• mechanic in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

English

Etymology

From French machiniste, from machine 'machine, mechanical device', from Latin machina, from Ancient Greek ?????? (m?khan?, “machine”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /m?.??i.n?st/

Noun

machinist (plural machinists)

1. A constructor of machines and engines; one versed in the principles of machines.
2. One skilled in the use of machine tools for fashioning metal parts or tools out of metal.
3. A person who operates machinery.
4. A person employed to shift scenery in a theater.

Synonyms

• operator

Translations

Further reading

• machinist in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• machinist in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Dutch

Etymology

From French machiniste.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /m??i?n?st/
• Hyphenation: ma?chi?nist

Noun

machinist m (plural machinisten, diminutive machinistje n)

1. A machine-operator, engineer; notably:
   1. locomotive operator
   2. steam engines operator on a vessel
   3. machinist, scenery operator in a theater

Derived terms

• machinistbankwerker m
• machinistenschool m
• machinist-leerling m
• scheepsmachinist m

Descendants

• ? Indonesian: masinis