From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Mechanic \Me*chan"ic\, n. [F. m['e]canique mechanics. See
Mechanic, a.]
1. The art of the application of the laws of motion or force
to construction. [Obs.]
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2. A mechanician; an artisan; an artificer; one who practices
any mechanic art; one skilled or employed in shaping and
uniting materials, as wood, metal, etc., into any kind of
structure, machine, or other object, requiring the use of
tools, or instruments. Also, a technician who maintains or
repairs machinery; as, an auto mechanic.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
An art quite lost with our mechanics. --Sir T.
Browne.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Mechanic \Me*chan"ic\ (m[-e]*k[a^]n"[i^]k), a. [F. m['e]canique,
L. mechanicus, Gr. mhchaniko`s, fr. mhchanh` a machine. See
Machine.]
1. Having to do with the application of the laws of motion in
the art of constructing or making things; of or pertaining
to mechanics; mechanical; as, the mechanic arts. "These
mechanic philosophers." --Ray.
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Mechanic slaves,
With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers. --Shak.
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2. Of or pertaining to a mechanic or artificer, or to the
class of artisans; hence, rude; common; vulgar.
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To make a god, a hero, or a king
Descend to a mechanic dialect. --Roscommon.
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Sometimes he ply'd the strong, mechanic tool.
--Thomson.
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3. Base. [Obs.] --Whitlock.
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From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
mechanic
adj 1: resembling the action of a machine; "from blank to blank
a threadless way I pushed mechanic feet"- Emily Dickenson
n 1: a craftsman skilled in operating machine tools [syn:
machinist, mechanic, shop mechanic]
2: someone whose occupation is repairing and maintaining
automobiles [syn: automobile mechanic, auto-mechanic,
car-mechanic, mechanic, grease monkey]