English

Alternative forms

• mechanick (obsolete)

Adjective

mechanic

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

     These mechanic philosophers.

   • Shakespeare

     Mechanic slaves, With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers.

2. (obsolete) Of or relating to a mechanic or artificer, or to the class of artisans; hence, rude; common; vulgar.
   • Roscommon

     To make a god, a hero, or a king / Descend to a mechanic dialect.

   • Thomson

     Sometimes he ply'd the strong, mechanic tool.

3. (obsolete) base

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Whitlock to this entry?)

Noun

mechanic ‎(plural mechanics)

1. A skilled worker capable of building or repairing machinery. A mechanic can be compared to a technician, the distinction being that the technician is stronger in theory, the mechanic stronger in hands-on experience.
2. A hit man. (Popularized by the 1972 film The Mechanic.)
3. (gaming) A device, command, or feature which allows the player to perform a specific task within a game.

   This game has a mechanic where if you run toward a ledge you automatically jump off rather than just falling.‎

Derived terms

• auto mechanic

Related terms

• mechanical
• mechanically
• mechanics
• mechanism
• mechanistic
• mechanization
• mechanize

Translations

External links

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