Mechanical powers

Mechanical powers
Mechanical Me*chan"ic*al, a. [From {Mechanic}, a.] [1913 Webster] 1. Pertaining to, governed by, or in accordance with, mechanics, or the laws of motion; pertaining to the quantitative relations of force and matter on a macroscopic scale, as distinguished from {mental}, {vital}, {chemical}, {electrical}, {electronic}, {atomic} etc.; as, mechanical principles; a mechanical theory; especially, using only the interactions of solid parts against each other; as mechanical brakes, in contrast to {hydraulic} brakes. [1913 Webster +PJC]

2. Of or pertaining to a machine or to machinery or tools; made or formed by a machine or with tools; as, mechanical precision; mechanical products. [1913 Webster]

We have also divers mechanical arts. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

3. Done as if by a machine; uninfluenced by will or emotion; proceeding automatically, or by habit, without special intention or reflection; as, mechanical singing; mechanical verses; mechanical service. [1913 Webster]

4. Made and operated by interaction of forces without a directing intelligence; as, a mechanical universe. [1913 Webster]

5. Obtained by trial, by measurements, etc.; approximate; empirical. See the 2d Note under {Geometric}. [1913 Webster]

{Mechanical effect}, effective power; useful work exerted, as by a machine, in a definite time.

{Mechanical engineering}. See the Note under {Engineering}.

{Mechanical maneuvers} (Mil.), the application of mechanical appliances to the mounting, dismounting, and moving of artillery. --Farrow.

{Mechanical philosophy}, the principles of mechanics applied to the investigation of physical phenomena.

{Mechanical powers}, certain simple instruments, such as the lever and its modifications (the wheel and axle and the pulley), the inclined plane with its modifications (the screw and the wedge), which convert a small force acting through a great space into a great force acting through a small space, or vice versa, and are used separately or in combination.

{Mechanical solution} (Math.), a solution of a problem by any art or contrivance not strictly geometrical, as by means of the ruler and compasses, or other instruments. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • mechanical powers — plural noun The elementary forms or parts of machines, divided into three primary forms (the lever, inclined plane and pulley) and three secondary forms (the wheel and axle, the wedge and the screw) • • • Main Entry: ↑mechanic …   Useful english dictionary

  • Mechanical powers — Power Pow er, n. [OE. pouer, poer, OF. poeir, pooir, F. pouvoir, n. & v., fr. LL. potere, for L. posse, potesse, to be able, to have power. See {Possible}, {Potent}, and cf. {Posse comitatus}.] 1. Ability to act, regarded as latent or inherent;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • MECHANICAL POWERS —    the lever, inclined plane, wheel and axle, screw, pulley, and wedge, the elementary contrivances of which all machines are composed …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

  • Mechanical — Me*chan ic*al, a. [From {Mechanic}, a.] [1913 Webster] 1. Pertaining to, governed by, or in accordance with, mechanics, or the laws of motion; pertaining to the quantitative relations of force and matter on a macroscopic scale, as distinguished… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Mechanical effect — Mechanical Me*chan ic*al, a. [From {Mechanic}, a.] [1913 Webster] 1. Pertaining to, governed by, or in accordance with, mechanics, or the laws of motion; pertaining to the quantitative relations of force and matter on a macroscopic scale, as… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Mechanical engineering — Mechanical Me*chan ic*al, a. [From {Mechanic}, a.] [1913 Webster] 1. Pertaining to, governed by, or in accordance with, mechanics, or the laws of motion; pertaining to the quantitative relations of force and matter on a macroscopic scale, as… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Mechanical maneuvers — Mechanical Me*chan ic*al, a. [From {Mechanic}, a.] [1913 Webster] 1. Pertaining to, governed by, or in accordance with, mechanics, or the laws of motion; pertaining to the quantitative relations of force and matter on a macroscopic scale, as… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Mechanical philosophy — Mechanical Me*chan ic*al, a. [From {Mechanic}, a.] [1913 Webster] 1. Pertaining to, governed by, or in accordance with, mechanics, or the laws of motion; pertaining to the quantitative relations of force and matter on a macroscopic scale, as… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Mechanical solution — Mechanical Me*chan ic*al, a. [From {Mechanic}, a.] [1913 Webster] 1. Pertaining to, governed by, or in accordance with, mechanics, or the laws of motion; pertaining to the quantitative relations of force and matter on a macroscopic scale, as… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Mechanical Beasts — Creator Go Nagai Profile Weapons Varied (rays, missiles, blades, acids, sound waves, drills, swords, axe …   Wikipedia

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