mechanicとは

語源

From Middle English mechanike (“mechanic art”), from Old French mecanique, from Latin mechanicus (“of または belonging to machines または mechanics, inventive”), from Ancient Greek μηχανικός (mēkhanikós, “pertaining to machines または contrivance, mechanic, ingenious, inventive”), from μηχανή (mēkhanḗ, “a machine, contrivance”); see machine.

発音

形容詞

mechanic

1. (archaic) mechanical; relating to the laws of motion in the art of constructing things
   • Ray

     These mechanic philosophers.

   • Shakespeare

     Mechanic slaves, With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers.

2. (obsolete) Of or relating to a mechanic or artificer, or to the class of artisans; hence, rude; common; vulgar.
   • Roscommon

     To make a god, a hero, or a king / Descend to a mechanic dialect.

   • Thomson

     Sometimes he ply'd the strong, mechanic tool.

3. (obsolete) base

   (Can we find かつ add a quotation of Whitlock to this entry?)

名詞

mechanic (複数形 mechanics)

1. (now chiefly historical) A manual worker; a labourer or artisan. [from 16th c.]
   • 1972, Christopher Hill, The World Turned Upside Down, Folio Society, published 2016, page 77:

     The lower orders were freer than they had ever been – free […] to choose their own lay preachers, mechanics like the rest of the congregation.

2. Someone who builds or repairs machinery, a technician; now specifically, someone who works with and repairs the mechanical parts of a motor vehicle, aircraft or similar. [from 17th c.]
3. A device, command, or feature which allows someone to achieve a specific task. [from 20th c.]

   This game has a mechanic where if you run toward a ledge you automatically jump off rather than just falling.

4. A hit man. [from 20th c.]
   • 1972, film title:

     The Mechanic.

派生語

• auto mechanic

関連する語

Further reading

• mechanic in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• “mechanic” in Douglas Harper, Online Etymology Dictionary, 2001–2018.
• mechanic in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913