Mechanics Meaning and Definition
Mechanics
Pronunciation
/ˈmɛkənɪks/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A mechanic is a person skilled in the repair or maintenance of machinery, equipment, and vehicles, often involving hands-on work and the use of specialized tools.
Examples
1. “She is an expert mechanic and has worked on many high-performance cars.”
2. “The local mechanic fixed my bike and got me back on the road quickly.”
Synonyms
1. Mechanician
2. Technician
Antonyms
1. Amateur
2. Novice
Additional Information
Mechanics typically have a strong understanding of mathematics and physics, and may specialize in areas such as automotive repair, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) maintenance, or industrial machinery repair.
With the rise of automation and technology, modern mechanics often work alongside computer systems and software to diagnose and repair complex equipment and vehicles.
In addition to working in garages and repair shops, mechanics may also work in manufacturing settings, where they are responsible for maintaining and repairing production equipment.
Many mechanics also choose to pursue further education and certification, such as an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a field like automotive technology or mechanical engineering.
Tech-savvy mechanics may also choose to work in emerging fields such as electric vehicle repair or self-driving car maintenance.
Overall, mechanics play a critical role in keeping equipment and vehicles running safely and efficiently, and are an essential part of modern industry and transportation.
Etymology
The word “mechanic” comes from the Greek word “mekhanikos,” meaning “skilled in hands” or “practical artist,” and is related to the word “mechanical,” meaning “relating to machinery.”
Usage Notes
The word “mechanic” can be used as a noun or a verb, and is often used in the following contexts:
– A mechanic is a person skilled in the repair or maintenance of machinery, equipment, and vehicles.
– To mechanic means to repair or maintain something by a skilled person, often using specialized tools and equipment.
– A mechanic can also refer to a person who builds or works with machines, such as an inventor or a tinkerer.
Cultural References
The word “mechanic” has been referenced in popular culture in numerous films, TV shows, and books, including:
– The Pixar film “Cars,” which features a cast of anthropomorphic cars and their owner-mechanics.
– The TV show “Star Trek: Voyager,” which features a crew member named B’Elanna Torres, a half-human, half-Klingon mechanic and engineer.
– The novel “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams, which features a eccentric mechanic who specializes in repairing alien ships.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Some common idiomatic expressions and phrases that include the word “mechanic” include:
– “Handy mechanic”: a person who is skilled in repairing and maintaining equipment and vehicles.
– “Mechanic’s sense”: a keen intuition or sense of how things work.
– “Under the hood”: a metaphorical expression for getting down to the underlying mechanics of something.
Collocations
Some common collocations with the word “mechanic” include:
– “Car mechanic”
– “Mechanic shop”
– “Automotive mechanic”
– “Industrial mechanic”
Frequency of Use
The word “mechanic” is a relatively common term in modern language, particularly in the context of automotive repair and maintenance.
According to the Corpus of Contemporary American English, the word “mechanic” appears in approximately 1.4% of all written texts.
Common Misspellings
Some common misspellings of the word “mechanic” include:
– “Mechanic” spelled as “Mechanic” (no hyphen)
– “Mechanic” spelled as “Mechanician”
– “Mechanic” spelled as “Mechanics” (plural form)