mechanical philosophy

Mechanical \Me*chan"ic*al\, a. [From {Mechanic}, a.]
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   1. Pertaining to, governed by, or in accordance with,
      mechanics, or the laws of motion; pertaining to the
      quantitative relations of force and matter on a
      macroscopic scale, as distinguished from {mental},
      {vital}, {chemical}, {electrical}, {electronic}, {atomic}
      etc.; as, mechanical principles; a mechanical theory;
      especially, using only the interactions of solid parts
      against each other; as mechanical brakes, in contrast to
      {hydraulic} brakes.
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   2. Of or pertaining to a machine or to machinery or tools;
      made or formed by a machine or with tools; as, mechanical
      precision; mechanical products.
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            We have also divers mechanical arts.  --Bacon.
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   3. Done as if by a machine; uninfluenced by will or emotion;
      proceeding automatically, or by habit, without special
      intention or reflection; as, mechanical singing;
      mechanical verses; mechanical service.
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   4. Made and operated by interaction of forces without a
      directing intelligence; as, a mechanical universe.
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   5. Obtained by trial, by measurements, etc.; approximate;
      empirical. See the 2d Note under {Geometric}.
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   {Mechanical effect}, effective power; useful work exerted, as
      by a machine, in a definite time.

   {Mechanical engineering}. See the Note under {Engineering}.
      

   {Mechanical maneuvers} (Mil.), the application of mechanical
      appliances to the mounting, dismounting, and moving of
      artillery. --Farrow.

   {Mechanical philosophy}, the principles of mechanics applied
      to the investigation of physical phenomena.

   {Mechanical powers}, certain simple instruments, such as the
      lever and its modifications (the wheel and axle and the
      pulley), the inclined plane with its modifications (the
      screw and the wedge), which convert a small force acting
      through a great space into a great force acting through a
      small space, or vice versa, and are used separately or in
      combination.

   {Mechanical solution} (Math.), a solution of a problem by any
      art or contrivance not strictly geometrical, as by means
      of the ruler and compasses, or other instruments.
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