mechanism
Definitions
A system of moving parts inside a device that makes it work
（装置内的）机件，结构，机械装置
A process or set of interacting parts by which something operates or is achieved
机制，机理（事物运作或达成的过程）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedmechan (machine, device) + -ism (a system or practice) = 'the system that makes a machine work.' It first named the actual moving parts inside a device, then jumped by metaphor to any system of parts working together (a defense mechanism), and finally to a fully abstract process — 'the mechanism of inflation.' The word lets you describe how something works without naming a single physical part.
Root mechane still carries 5 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.defense mechanism防御机制
- 2.control mechanism控制机制
- 3.coping mechanism应对机制
- 4.locking mechanism锁定机件
- 5.market mechanism市场机制
- 6.trigger a mechanism触发某种机制
Example Sentences
- 1.
The clock's delicate mechanism stopped working after it got wet.
- 2.
Sweating is the body's natural mechanism for cooling down.
- 3.
Economists still debate the mechanism behind rising prices.
- 4.
The treaty set up a mechanism for resolving border disputes.
Synonym Comparison
- mechanism — a system of interacting parts or steps by which something works
- system — broader; any organized whole, may not imply moving parts
- device — a single object built for a purpose, not the inner process
- process — a sequence of actions, with no implication of parts fitting together
- machine — a physical powered apparatus, the concrete object itself