mechanic

American  

[muh-kan-ik] / məˈkæn ɪk /

noun

1. a person who repairs and maintains machinery, motors, etc..

   an automobile mechanic.

2. a worker who is skilled in the use of tools, machines, equipment, etc.

3. Slang. a person skilled in the dishonest handling of cards, dice, or other objects used in games of chance.

---

mechanic British  

/ mɪˈkænɪk /

noun

1. a person skilled in maintaining or operating machinery, motors, etc

2. archaic a common labourer

---

Etymology

Origin of mechanic

1350–1400; Middle English: mechanical < Latin mēchanicus < Greek mēchanikós, equivalent to mēchan ( ḗ ) machine + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

Ahmad, by contrast, has lived a life free of community and consequence, and for the first time engages in the mechanics of cause and effect.

From The Wall Street Journal

Meanwhile, quantum processors harness the properties of quantum mechanics, which makes them best suited for complex modeling tasks.

From Barron's

The retired mechanic now lives in Kent, but in the 1980s and 1990s his now-demolished home in Glasgow doubled as his motor repair business.

From BBC

A 47-year-old man who stayed with the Daniels told jurors that Barbara was seen as the "boss" while Douglas, a retired car mechanic, was a "scary physical man."

From BBC

“I didn’t know anything about cars, but I’ve learned a lot. In outdoor racing, David is the mechanic and I’m the assistant,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• machinist
• operator
• worker