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   Mech·an·ism

   /ˈmekəˌnizəm/

   

   noun

   • 1. a system of parts working together in a machine; a piece of machinery: "the gunner injured his arm in the turret mechanism" Similar apparatusmachineappliancetooldeviceimplementutensilinstrumentcontraptioncontrivancegadgettacklestructuresysteminformal:gizmomachineryworkingsworksmovementmotionactiongeargearswheelscomponentsmotorenginepower sourceinformal:innardsgutsprocedureprocesssystemoperationmethodtechniqueworkingsmeansmediumagencychannelchannelsvehiclestructure
   • 2. a natural or established process by which something takes place or is brought about: "we have no mechanism for assessing the success of forwarded inquiries" Similar procedureprocesssystemoperationmethodtechniqueworkingsmeansmediumagencychannelchannelsvehiclestructure
   • ▪ a contrivance in the plot of a literary work: "his"
   • 3. the doctrine that all natural phenomena, including life and thought, allow mechanical explanation by physics and chemistry.

   Word Origin mid 17th century: from modern Latin mechanismus, from Greek mēkhanē (see machine).

   Scrabble Points: 18

   • M

     3

   • E

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   • C

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   • H

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   • A

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   • N

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   • I

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   • M

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