mechanical English · revision 5988

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1432|origins=grc μηχανικός}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /məˈkænɪkəl/ ''(UK)''; /məˈkænəkəl/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English mechanicall, formed [[af|en|mechanic|-al]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002) the base coming through Middle French mécanique and Latin mēchanicus from Greek [[m|grc|μηχανικός|tr=mēkhanikós|t=of machines, inventive]].^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) Word Origins notes that mechanical and [[machine]] both go back to Greek mēkhanē.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Concerned with the construction of machines, or with tools and their use: 1432–50 in the OED, the early 15th century in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Concerned with manual work, of the nature of handicraft, is from about 1450.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Etymonline notes that Cockeram's dictionary (1623) still explained mechanicall as “of or belonging to a craftsman”.^(Etymonline) Worked or produced by a machine is from 1567,^(OED 1989) and relating to machines from the 1570s.^(Etymonline) Of persons, engaged in manual labour, of the artisan class, is from 1589, now obsolete;^(OED 1989) Shakespeare's “rude mechanicals” in ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' are such craftsmen, and Word Origins notes that mechanical and [[mechanic]] were once more or less interchangeable.^(Cresswell 2021) Of human actions, automatic or lacking spontaneity, is from about 1600,^(Etymonline) and the scientific sense, relating to the forces of nature acting on bodies, from the 1620s.^(Etymonline) ''Mechanical-minded'' is from 1820.^(Etymonline) In printing a mechanical is a layout of type and artwork ready for making a plate.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1432–50 – concerned with machines.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1450 – manual, of handicraft.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1567 – worked by a machine.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1589 – of the artisan class.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1600 – automatic, without spirit.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1620s – relating to physical forces.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Relating to or operated by [[machine|alt=machines]] or [[machinery]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Done without thought or feeling; automatic: ''a mechanical response''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(physics)'' Relating to or governed by [[mechanics]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Skilled in using machines.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(printing)'' A layout of type and artwork ready to be made into a printing plate.^(AHD)

+ # ''(archaic)'' A manual worker or craftsman.^(Cresswell 2021)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[mechanically]]

+ * [[mechanicalness]]

+ * [[electromechanical]]

+ * [[hydromechanical]]

+ * [[nonmechanical]]

+ * [[photomechanical]]

+ * [[semimechanical]]

+ * [[unmechanical]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[mechanic]]

+ * [[mechanics]]

+ * [[mechanism]]

+ * [[machine]]

+ * [[machinery]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}