| 释义 |
mechanics|mɪˈkænɪks|
[In form a pl. of mechanic: see -ic 2.
Gr. had both ἡ µηχανική and τὰ µηχανικά; hence in late L. mēchanica fem. sing., mechanical science, mēchanica neut. pl., works of mechanical art. The Rom. langs. use the fem. sing.: Fr. mécanique (in 18th c. also les mécaniques fem.), Sp. mecánica, Pg. mechanica, It. meccanica; cf. G. mechanik, Du. mechanica, Da., Sw. mekanik.]
1. a. Originally (and still in popular use): That body of theoretical and practical knowledge which is concerned with the invention and construction of machines, the explanation of their operation, the calculation of their efficiency. b. That department of applied mathematics which treats of motion and tendencies to motion: comprising (according to the division now generally received) kinematics, the science of abstract motion, and dynamics (including statics and kinetics), the science of the action of forces in producing motion or equilibrium in bodies.
analytical mechanics: mechanics treated by the differential and integral calculus. animal mechanics: mechanics as applied to the study of the movements of animals.
1648Bp. Wilkins Math. Magick i. ii. 12 Astronomy handles the quantity of heavenly motions, Musick of sounds, and Mechanicks of weights and powers. 1671Boyle Usef. Mech. Discipl. Nat. Philos. 1, I do not here take the Term, Mechanicks, in that stricter and more proper sense, wherein it is wont to be taken, when tis us'd onely to signifie the Doctrine about the Moving Powers, (as the Beam, the Leaver, the Screws, and the Wedg) and of framing Engines to multiply Force; but I here understand the word Mechanicks in a larger sense, for those Disciplines that consist of the Applications of pure Mathematicks to produce or modifie Motion in inferior Bodies. 1770Langhorne Plutarch (1879) I. 342/1 The first that turned their thoughts to mechanics..were Eudoxus and Archytas. 1828Hutton Course Math. II. 139 Mechanics is the science of equilibrium and of motion. 1841W. Spalding Italy & It. Isl. I. 118 Archimedes..devoted the best efforts of his skill in mechanics to the defence of his native town.
†2. pl. Manual operations. Obs. rare—1.
1726Swift Gulliver iv. x, I shall not trouble the Reader with a particular Description of my own Mechanics; let it suffice to say, that in six Weeks Time..I finished a Sort of Indian Canoo.
3. transf. The procedural or operational details (of something).
1925E. B. Wilson Cell (ed. 3) ii. 172 This fact is fundamentally important for the mechanics of mitosis. 1930Writer Sept. 265/2 Is the playwright perpetually making references in his dialogue to the mechanics of his craft? 1932Punch 13 Jan. 55/1 Miss E. B. C. Jones is well up in the mechanics of psycho-analysis. 1940Punch 10 Apr. 407/3 It is a pity the mechanics of the story take up so much of the time. 1960L. Picken Organization of Cells viii. 373 (heading) The mechanics and energetics of changes in cell shape. 1974Nature 22 Mar. 280/3 Speakers at current meetings in the field generally give little information on how their results are actually obtained, that is, the pure mechanics of the business. |