MECHANISM

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does mechanism mean? 

• MECHANISM (noun)
  The noun MECHANISM has 5 senses:

1. the atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction

2. the technical aspects of doing something

3. a natural object resembling a machine in structure or function

4. (philosophy) the philosophical theory that all phenomena can be explained in terms of physical or biological causes

5. device consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts that perform some function

  Familiarity information: MECHANISM used as a noun is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MECHANISM (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Synonyms:

chemical mechanism; mechanism

Context example:

he determined unique mechanisms for the photochemical reactions

Hypernyms ("mechanism" is a kind of...):

chemical action; chemical change; chemical process ((chemistry) any process determined by the atomic and molecular composition and structure of the substances involved)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "mechanism"):

biochemical mechanism (a chemical mechanism involved in vital processes occurring in living organisms)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The technical aspects of doing something

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

mechanics; mechanism

Context example:

the mechanics of prose style

Hypernyms ("mechanism" is a kind of...):

carrying into action; carrying out; execution; performance (the act of performing; of doing something successfully; using knowledge as distinguished from merely possessing it)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A natural object resembling a machine in structure or function

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made)

Context example:

the mechanism of infection

Hypernyms ("mechanism" is a kind of...):

natural object (an object occurring naturally; not made by man)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "mechanism"):

barrier (anything serving to maintain separation by obstructing vision or access)

transmission mechanism (any mechanism whereby an infectious agent is spread from a reservoir to a human being)

biological clock (an innate mechanism in living organisms that controls the periodicity of many physiological functions)

Derivation:

mechanistic (explained in terms of physical forces)

Sense 4

Meaning:

(philosophy) the philosophical theory that all phenomena can be explained in terms of physical or biological causes

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("mechanism" is a kind of...):

philosophical doctrine; philosophical theory (a doctrine accepted by adherents to a philosophy)

Domain category:

philosophy (the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics)

Derivation:

mechanist (a philosopher who subscribes to the doctrine of mechanism)

mechanistic (of or relating to the philosophical theory of mechanism)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Device consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts that perform some function

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("mechanism" is a kind of...):

device (an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "mechanism"):

actuator (a mechanism that puts something into automatic action)

workings; works (the internal mechanism of a device)

whirler (a revolving mechanism)

tape drive; tape transport; transport (a mechanism that transports magnetic tape across the read/write heads of a tape playback/recorder)

steering mechanism; steering system (a mechanism by which something is steered (especially a motor vehicle))

steering linkage (mechanism consisting of a system of rods and levers connected to the front wheels of a motor vehicle; the steering gear pushes it left or right which swivels the front wheels, causing the vehicle to turn)

rotating mechanism (a mechanism that rotates)

radiator (a mechanism consisting of a metal honeycomb through which hot fluids circulate; heat is transferred from the fluid through the honeycomb to the airstream that is created either by the motion of the vehicle or by a fan)

mechanical device (mechanism consisting of a device that works on mechanical principles)

lock (a mechanism that detonates the charge of a gun)

ignition; ignition system (the mechanism that ignites the fuel in an internal-combustion engine)

hydraulic system (a mechanism operated by the resistance offered or the pressure transmitted when a liquid is forced through a small opening or tube)

homing device (the mechanism in a guided missile that guides it toward its objective)

gear; gear mechanism (a mechanism for transmitting motion for some specific purpose (as the steering gear of a vehicle))

fail-safe (a mechanism capable of returning to a safe state in case there is a failure or malfunction)

action; action mechanism (the operating part that transmits power to a mechanism)

automaton; golem; robot (a mechanism that can move automatically)

axis; axis of rotation (the center around which something rotates)

carriage (a machine part that carries something else)

cartridge ejector; ejector (a mechanism in a firearm that ejects the empty shell case after firing)

cartridge extractor; cartridge remover; extractor (a mechanism in a firearm that pulls an empty shell case out of the chamber and passes it to the ejector)

clockwork (any mechanism of geared wheels that is driven by a coiled spring; resembles the works of a mechanical clock)

control; controller (a mechanism that controls the operation of a machine)

cooling; cooling system (a mechanism for keeping something cool)

delayed action (a mechanism that automatically delays the release of a camera shutter for a fixed period of time so that the photographer can appear in the picture)

drive (a mechanism by which force or power is transmitted in a machine)

drive line; drive line system (mechanism that transmits power from the engine to the driving wheels of a motor vehicle)

film advance (a mechanism for advancing film in a camera or projector)

Derivation:

mechanical (using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices)

 Context examples 

However, the exact mechanism of acadesine-induced apoptosis is unknown.

(Acadesine, NCI Thesaurus)

Also, there is not a mechanism that directly transports acetyl-CoA out of mitochondria.

(Acetyl Group Shuttle Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

At some point we were looking at increasingly less-plausible mechanisms, like if tectonic plates were rubbing against each other, could you get a plasma spark that generated phosphine?

(Poisonous Earthly Molecule May Be Sign of Extraterrestrial Life, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Given the importance of maintaining an adequate balance of these mechanisms to promote more successful pregnancies, the results of the present study could be relevant to the clinical setting.

(A new study highlights the importance of undertaking physical activity of moderate–vigorous intensity during the early weeks of pregnancy, University of Granada)

The creature's skin color temporarily changes thanks to this mechanism.

(Octopuses can dream, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Acf1 contains a PHD-finger and is able to modulate the internucleosomal spacing of chromatin by an ATP-dependent mechanism.

(ACF complex, NCI Thesaurus)

On the next page is a diagram of the mechanism of its wing.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Although the exact mechanism of action of methsuximide is unclear, it is thought to increase the seizure threshold and suppress the paroxysmal three-cycle-per-second spike-and-wave pattern seen with absence (petit mal) seizures.

(Methsuximide, NCI Thesaurus)

Alkylating agents with non-specific classification based on mechanism of action, therapeutic use, or chemical properties.

(Miscellaneous Alkylating Agent, NCI Thesaurus)

As a member of the family of compounds known as psoralens or furocoumarins, methoxsalen's exact mechanism of action is unknown; upon photoactivation, methoxsalen has been observed to bind covalently to and crosslink DNA.

(Methoxsalen, NCI Thesaurus)