mechanics (mekaniks)

[Pl. of mechanic: see -ics.] 1. The theory of machines. This is the old meaning of the word, especially before the development of the modern doctrine of force. I do not here take the term Mechanicks in that stricter and more proper sense wherein it is wont to be taken when it is used only to signify the doctrine about the moving powers (as the beam, the lever, the screws, and the wedge), 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 the pure mat hem a ticks to produce or modify motion in inferior bodies. Boyle , Works, III. 435. 2. The mathematical doctrine of the motions and tendencies to motion of particles and systems under the influence of forces and constraints; in a narrower sense, this doctrine as applied to systems of rigid bodies. Mechanics is now commonly divided into kinematics and dynamics, and the latter into statics and kinetics. Mechanics treated by means of the infinitesimal calculus is called analytical mechanics. The fundamental principles of mechanics are stated under energy and force; but the science is characterized by the great number of derived principles made use of. See principle. Newton defined the laws, rules, or observed order of the phenomena of motion which come under our daily observation with greater precision than had been before attained; and, by following out with marvellous power and subtlety the mathematical consequences of these rules, he almost created the modern science of pure mechanics . Huxley , in Nineteenth Century, XXI. 489. mechanism (mek'a-nizm), n. [F. mécan is me = Sp. mecanismo = Pg. mechanismo = It. mec canismo, The mechanism - that is, the bulk and figure of the bone and muscles, and the insertion of the muscle into the bone. N. Grew, Cosmologia Sacra, ii. 6. Although many authors have spoken of the wonderful mechanism of speech, none has hitherto attended to the far more wonderful mechanism which it puts into action behind the scene. D. Stewart, Human Mind, II. ii. 2. It will not do therefore to say that light is propagated through air in one way, by one sort of mechanism , when the air is very rare, and by another when the air is very dense. Stokes , Light, p. 79. The mind is not content to have connections of ideas im Lotze, Microcosm us (trans.), I. 232. posed on it by the mechanism of perception and memory. 2. A mechanical contrivance or agency of any kind; in general, the apparatus, means, or mode by which particular effects are produced or purposes accomplished: as, the mechanism of a musical instrument (the apparatus by means of which the performer acts upon it); the mecha nism of a play or of poem; the mechanism of government.-31. Action according to the laws of mechanics; mechanical action. After the chyle has pa ed through the lungs, nature continues her usual mechanism to convert it into animal substances, Arbuthnot , Aliments. The mechanist will be afraid to a ert before hardy con- trad ict i on the po ibility of tearing down bulwarks with a silk-worm's thread. Johnson, Rambler, No. 117. What titles will he keep? will he remain Musician, gardener, builder, mechanist , A planter, and a rearer from the seed? me con arc eine (mek-ō-när'sē-in), n . [ meco (nic) + narcotic ) + -ine2 .] An alkaloid obtained from opium: said to be a useful hypnotic. meconate (mek'ō-nāt), n. [ mecon ( ic ) + -atel .] A salt of meconic acid. meconic (mē-kon'ik), a . [ μήκων (>L. mecon ), a poppy, poppy-seed, poppy-juice, opium, = OF OBulg. ma- ku =OHG. * mahan , MHG. * mahen , man , G.mohn, also OHG. māgo , MHG. māge = OSw. ( val ) mu- Teut. forms prob. not of native origin.] Per- taining to or derived from the poppy.- Meconic acid, C7H407, the peculiar acid with which morphine is combined in opium. When pure, it forms small white crystals. Its aqueous solution shows a deep-red color with the persalts of iron, which therefore are good tests for it. It is a tribasic acid, but most of its salts contain but two equivalents of the base. me conidia, n. Plural of me conidium . meconidine (mē-kon'i-din), n. [ mecon ( ic ) + -id-+-ine2.] One of the alkaloids contained in opium me conidium (mek-ō-nid'i-um), n.; pl. meconi- dia (-a). [NL., μήκων , part of the intes- tines of testaceous animals, also the ink-bag of a cuttlefish, lit. poppy, poppy-seed (see me- conic), + dim. -ιδιον.] The fixed generative medusoid of some calyptoblastic hydroids, as of the genus Gonothyrea , in which the sexual elements are matured and from which the em- bryos are discharged in the form of ciliated planulas. These generative buds or zoöids develop upon the go no theca, several in succe ion from above downward, retaining their direct communication with the blastostyle; when fully matured they are sacs hanging to the go no theca by a narrow stalk or peduncle, having an opening or mouth at the far end surrounded by a circlet of tentacles, through which mouth the ova escape; the cavity of the hollow [ mecon (ic) + -in2.] A neutral substance (C10H1004) existing in opium. It is white, fusible, and crystalline. Carlyle, Sartor Resartus, iii. 5. [ me cha no graph (mē-kan'ō-graf), n. μηχανή, a machine, + γράφειν , write.] chine-made copy, as of a writing, a work of art, etc. me cha no graphic (meka-no-graf'ik), a . mechanography + -ic.] 1. Treating of me- chanics. [Rare.] -2. Pertaining to mecha- nography. me cha no graph ist (mek-a-nog'ra-fist), n. [ me cha no graph -y+ -ist .] One who by mechanimeconioid (me-kō'ni-oid), a. [ -oid .] Resembling meconium. me coni or rhea (mē-kōni-ō-rē'ä), n . [NL., ῥοία , a flow, ῥεῖν , flow.] A morbidly mechanography (mek-a-nog'ra-fi), n. [ -γραφία , γράφειν , write.] The art of multiplying copies of a writing or a increased discharge of meconium. work of art by the use of a machine. IMG:content-0388.jpg:[blocks in formation] meche2t, n. Mechitarist, n. See Mekhitarist . Mechlin (mek'lin), a. and n. I. a. Pertaining to or produced at Mechlin or Malines in Belgi- um.- Mechlin embroideryt, an old name for Mechlin lace, because its peculiar manufacture gives it somewhat the look of embroidery. Dict. Needlework. - Mechlin lace. See lace . II. n. Same as Mechlin lace . Me cho a can root. See root . meconium (mē-kōni-um), n. [L. meconium , μήκων , the poppy: see meconic .] 11. Poppy-juice.-2. The feces of a new-born in- fant.-3. In entom ., the feces of an adult in- sect just transformed from the pupa. me con ology (mek-ō-nol'ō-ji), n. [ -λογία , λέγειν , speak: see -ology.] A treatise on the poppy, or on opium. IMG:content-0389.png:[blocks in formation] medal-cup (med'al-kup), n. A drinking-ves- sel of metal, usually silver, in which coins or medallions are in- crusted and form IMG:content-0390.png:[graphic][merged small] The death of the patient being attributed to causes which are supposed to be disconnected from the meco- nophagism. Alien. and Neurol ., VII. 463. meconophagist (mek-ō-nof'a-jist), n. [ μήκων , the poppy, opium, + φαγεῖν , eat, + -ist.] An opium-eater; one who has contracted the opium or morphine habit. If they happen to find solace in opium readily, they be come meconophagists . Alien. and Neurol ., VII. 471. Meconopsis (mek-ō-nop's is), n. [NL. (Vigier, 1821), όψις , appear- ance.] A genus of plants of the natural order Papaveraceæ , the poppy family, and the tribe Eupapavereæ , characterized by splits open for a short distance, and by a club- shaped style bearing from four to six radiate- deflexed stig low juice, entire or leaves, and showy yellow, purple, or blue flowers, which droop in the bud, and are borne on long peduncles. Nine species are known, natives of west- ern Europe, the central part of Asia, and western North America. M. cambric a , the Welsh poppy, a plant of rocky and woody places in parts of western Europe, has bright- green hairy pinnate leaves, slender stems, and large ter- minal sulphur-yellow flowers. This and several other spe- cies are cultivated for ornament. ornamental. In some cases a series of coins of a single sovereign or of a succe ion of sov- ereigns is used. medalet (med' al- et), n. [ medal + -et.] Any medal of small size. Dukes of Brunswick-Wolfen Me copter a (mē-kop'te-rä), n . pl . [NL., πτερόν , a wing, = E. feather . ] In some systems, an order of neuropterous in- 3. One who has gained a medal as a reward of medallic I have lately seen, says Eugenius, a medallic history of the present King of France. Add is on , Ancient Medals, iii. If it is po ible to conceive literature destroyed, and modern cities and their monuments in ruin and decay, medallic coins would become the most durable memorials. Jevons, Money and Mech. of Exchange, p. 63.