Definition of mechanical

The word "mechanical" derives from the Greek word "mechane," which means a tool, device, or very essentially, a contrivance. This term, in turn, stems from the Greek word "mechanein," which translates to "to devise" or "contrive." The Latin contraction of "mechanein," "machāna," introduced into English in the Middle Ages, ultimately gave way to the term "mechanical." The meaning of "mechanical" initially connoted something fabricated by human beings from movable parts, as opposed to a natural object. This distinction alsoserved as a means of categorizing various branches of medieval scholarship. The Greek philosopher Aristotle relegated natural phenomena to the realm of "natural philosophy," distinguishing them from 'mechanical' creations fabricated by men. In the following centuries, "mechanical" descended into the English vocabulary with manifold usages, with its primary connotation retaining the same theme of human fabrication. The word has since been employed to signify an assortment of ideas and concepts, ranging from mechanical power or machinery to the mechanical principles governing the operation of physical apparatuses or forces. In modern-day parlance, "mechanical" is commonly employed to refer to technological devices or systems that incorporate moving parts. Overall, the word's semantic scope has expanded to include both natural and contrived phenomena, a contrast to its Aristotelian origin, which initially employed it to categorize contrived human artifact over natural occurrences.