Mechanicals

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A set of devices or machines that operate using mechanical principles
2. Components or systems that function through physical movement and machine parts
3. Tools, devices, or machines that rely on mechanical engineering and movement to perform tasks

Etymology: The word "mechanicals" is simply the plural of "mechanical", so its story is the story of that adjective turned into a noun. The root is ancient Greek "mēkhanḗ", meaning a contrivance, device or stratagem, which gave the adjective "mēkhanikós", "pertaining to machines or devices". Latin borrowed it as "mēchanicus", and it passed into Old French as "mecanique" before reaching Middle English as "mechanic", with "-al" added later to form the adjective. The noun use in the plural is the more recent development. Modern English speakers use "mechanicals" for the working parts of a machine, or for the systems that depend on moving components rather than electronics. Its meaning is therefore narrower than the Greek idea of any clever device, and it describes the physical, moving parts specifically.

Synonyms: machines, devices, instruments, tools, appliances