different between mechanics vs mechanic

English

Etymology 1

From Latin mechanicus, from Ancient Greek ????????? (m?khanikós), from ?????? (m?khan?, “machine, tool”)

Noun

mechanics (uncountable)

1. (physics) The branch of physics that deals with the action of forces on material objects with mass
2. The design and construction of machines.
3. (writing) Spelling and punctuation.
4. Operation in general; workings.

   the mechanics of a board game

   • 1991, Marilyn Cochran-Smith, Cynthia L. Paris, Jessica L. Kahn, Learning to Write Differently (page 99)

     It was anticipated that children who encountered difficulty with the mechanics of word processing could turn to the coach for help rather than interrupt Margaret's work with a reading group.

Derived terms

Translations

Etymology 2

Noun

mechanics

1. plural of mechanic

Anagrams

• mischance

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.