Mechanism
WordNet
noun
(1) The technical aspects of doing something
"A mechanism of social control"
"Mechanisms of communication"
"The mechanics of prose style"
(2) Device consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts that perform some function
(3) (philosophy) the philosophical theory that all phenomena can be explained in terms of physical or biological causes
(4) A natural object resembling a machine in structure or function
"The mechanism of the ear"
"The mechanism of infection"
(5) The atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction
"He determined unique mechanisms for the photochemical reactions"
WiktionaryText
Noun
- Within a machine or machinery; any mechanical means for the conversion or control of motion, or the transmission or control of power
- Any combination of cams, gears, links, belts, chains and logical mechanical elements
- A group of objects or parts that interact together. (as in Political machine)
- A mental, physical or chemical process.
- A theory that all natural phenomena can be explained by physical causes.