different between mechanism vs paraphernalia

English

Etymology

From Latin mechanismus, from Greek ?????? (m?khan?, “machine”)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?m?k?n?zm/

Noun

mechanism (countable and uncountable, plural mechanisms)

1. (within a machine or machinery) Any mechanical means for the conversion or control of motion, or the transmission or control of power.
2. Any combination of cams, gears, links, belts, chains and logical mechanical elements.
3. A group of entities, such as objects, that interact together.

4. A mental, physical, or chemical process.
5. Any process of, or system designed to manage useful energy conversion.
6. (philosophy) The theory that all natural phenomena can be explained by physical causes.

Derived terms

• defense mechanism, defence mechanism
• reaction mechanism

Translations

English

Etymology

A loan from Ancient Greek ????????? (parápherna, “goods which a wife brings over and above her dowry”), a compound of ???? (pará, “beside”) +? ????? (phern?, “dowry”), i.e. “things additional to a dowry”. In the propertied classes, a dowry was placed under the control of the husband, while the paraphernalia which she brought with her remained the wife’s property.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?pæ??f??ne?li.?/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /?p???f??ne?li.?/, /?p???f??ne?li.?/
• Rhymes: -e?li?
• Hyphenation: par?a?pher?na?lia

Noun

paraphernalia pl (plural only)

1. Miscellaneous items, especially the set of equipment required for a particular activity.

   Synonym: stuff
2. (archaic, family law) Things a married woman owns, such as clothing and jewellery, apart from her dowry.

   Synonym: parapherna

Translations

Further reading

• paraphernalia on Wikipedia.Wikipedia