Search the Dictionary

That science, or branch of applied mathematics, which treats of the action of forces on bodies.

The science of equilibrium and motion of air or an aëriform fluid, including aërodynamics and aërostatics.

That branch of physics which treats of the mechanics of liquids, or of their laws of equilibrium and of motion.

Of or pert. to aëromechanics.

In mechanics an apparatus on the principle of the seesaw, in which one end rises as the other falls. Bascule bridge, a counterpoise or balanced drawbridge, which is opened by sinking the counterpoise and thus lifting the footway into the air.

A long table at which mechanics and other work; as, a carpenter's bench.

or on a particular department or branch; as, a cyclopedia of the physical sciences, or of mechanics. See Encyclopedia.

That branch of mechanics which treats of the motion of bodies (kinematics) and the action of forces in producing or changing their motion (kinetics). Dynamics is held by some recent writers to include statics and not kinematics.

ive exhibition of wares, farm products, etc., not primarily for purposes of sale; as, the Mechanics' fair; an agricultural fair. After the fair, Too late. [Colloq.]

That branch of the science of mechanics which relates to fluids, or, as usually limited, which treats of the laws of motion and action of nonelastic fluids, whether as investigated mathematically, or by observation and experiment; the principles of dynamics, as applied to water and other fluids.

physicians in Italy, about the middle of the 17th century, who tried to apply the laws of mechanics and mathematics to the human body, and hence were eager student of anatomy; -- opposed to the iatrochemists.

of a foot, commonly subdivided into halves, quarters, eights, sixteenths, etc., as among mechanics. It was also formerly divided into twelve parts, called lines, and originally into three parts, called barleycorns, its length supposed to have been determined from three grains of barley placed end to end lengthwise. It…

, or other object, requiring the use of tools, or instruments. An art quite lost with our mechanics. Sir T. Browne.

Pertaining to, governed by, or in accordance with, mechanics, or the laws of motion; pertaining to the quantitative relations of force and matter, as distinguished from mental, vital, chemical, etc.; as, mechanical principles; a mechanical theory; mechanical deposits.

Pertaining to, connected with, or dependent upon, both mechanics and chemistry; -- said especially of those sciences which treat of such phenomena as seem to depend on the laws both of mechanics and chemistry, as electricity and magnetism.

A maker of machines; one skilled in mechanics.

Treating of mechanics. [R.]

The management of sails, rudder, etc.; the mechanics of traveling by water; seamanship.

olloquial or humorous name for any science or branch of knowledge. He had a smattering of mechanics, of physiology, geology, mineralogy, and all other ologies whatsoever. De Quincey.

rties of air and other elastic fluids, as of their weight, pressure, elasticity, etc. See Mechanics.