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Noun: mechanism  'me-ku,ni-zum
  1. The atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction
    "he determined unique mechanisms for the photochemical reactions";
    - chemical mechanism
     
  2. The technical aspects of doing something
    "a mechanism of social control"; "mechanisms of communication";
    - mechanics
     
  3. A natural object resembling a machine in structure or function
    "the mechanism of the ear"; "the mechanism of infection"
     
  4. (philosophy) the philosophical theory that all phenomena can be explained in terms of physical or biological causes
     
  5. Device consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts that perform some function

Derived forms: mechanisms

Type of: carrying into action, carrying out, chemical action, chemical change, chemical process, device, execution, natural object, performance, philosophical doctrine, philosophical theory

Encyclopedia: Mechanism