English noun: mechanism | |||
1. | mechanism (process) the atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction | ||
Samples | He determined unique mechanisms for the photochemical reactions. | ||
Synonyms | chemical mechanism | ||
Broader (hypernym) | chemical action, chemical change, chemical process | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | biochemical mechanism | ||
2. | mechanism (act) the technical aspects of doing something | ||
Samples | A mechanism of social control. Mechanisms of communication. The mechanics of prose style. | ||
Synonyms | mechanics | ||
Broader (hypernym) | carrying into action, carrying out, execution, performance | ||
3. | mechanism (object) a natural object resembling a machine in structure or function | ||
Samples | The mechanism of the ear. The mechanism of infection. | ||
Broader (hypernym) | natural object | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | barrier, biological clock, transmission mechanism | ||
4. | mechanism (cognition) (philosophy) the philosophical theory that all phenomena can be explained in terms of physical or biological causes | ||
Broader (hypernym) | philosophical doctrine, philosophical theory | ||
Domain category | philosophy | ||
5. | mechanism (artifact) device consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts that perform some function | ||
Broader (hypernym) | device | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | action, action mechanism, actuator, automaton, axis, axis of rotation, carriage, cartridge ejector, cartridge extractor, cartridge remover, clockwork, control, controller, cooling, cooling system, delayed action, drive, drive line, drive line system, ejector, extractor, fail-safe, film advance, gear, gear mechanism, golem, homing device, hydraulic system, ignition, ignition system, lock, mechanical device, radiator, robot, rotating mechanism, steering linkage, steering mechanism, steering system, tape drive, tape transport, transport, whirler, workings, works | ||