Mechanism - Definition
mechanism
n 1: the atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction;
"he determined unique mechanisms for the photochemical
reactions" [syn: mechanism, chemical mechanism]
2: the technical aspects of doing something; "a mechanism of
social control"; "mechanisms of communication"; "the
mechanics of prose style" [syn: mechanism, mechanics]
3: a natural object resembling a machine in structure or
function; "the mechanism of the ear"; "the mechanism of
infection"
4: (philosophy) the philosophical theory that all phenomena can
be explained in terms of physical or biological causes
5: device consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts
that perform some function