mechanics noun.
[mɪ'kanɪks] M17.[Pl. of MECHANIC: see -ICS.]1. Treated as
sing. or (occas.)
pl.a. The body of theoretical and practical knowledge concerned with the invention and construction of machines, the explanation of their operation, and the calculation of their efficiency; mechanical engineering.
M17.b. The branch of applied mathematics that deals with the motion and equilibrium of bodies and the action of forces, and includes statics, dynamics, and kinematics. Now distinguished as
classical mechanics (as opp. to
quantum mechanics s.v.
QUANTUM adjective).
L17.celestial mechanics,
fluid mechanics,
statistical mechanics,
wave mechanics, etc.
2. pl. The working parts of a machine; the technical or procedural details, the practicalities, (
of something).
E20.Punch It is a pity the mechanics of the story take up so much of the time. Which? We explain the mechanics of buying and selling. [TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲