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DictionaryRoot: mēkhanē
Greek

mēkhanē

device, contrivance, or means

Forms

  • mēkhanē
  • mechan- — A common later spelling.

Origin

Related to an old Greek family associated with means or ability.

Note

A clever contrivance could be a physical device or a planned means of achieving something.

2 / 3
noun

mechanics

muh-KAN-iks/mʌkˈænɪks/

The practical details of how something works or is done.

The demonstration shows the mechanics of tying a bow.

A young woman demonstrates the practical mechanics of tying a bow knot: three closely framed sequential views show the same hands crossing the laces, wrapping one lace around a loop, and tightening the finished bow.
Etymology
mechanGreekdevice, contrivance, or means
+icsEnglisha field of study or organized activity

With a base meaning “device” and an ending used for fields of knowledge, mechanics named the theory of machines. In the practical sense, the focus is on the details that make a process work.

In context

Esper the Bard4:54
mechanics has to do with how interesting and fun the monsters abilities are in the stat block
D&D MONSTER RANKINGS - FEY

More examples

  • She explained the mechanics of the application process.
  • We mastered the mechanics before improving speed.
  • The mechanics of the agreement remained unclear.

Forms

mechanics

Similar words

procedure
Names the ordered steps rather than all practical details.
method
The overall way of doing something.