n.1. in general, a device or physical property by which something is accomplished, or an explanation that relies on such a device or property. 2. a philosophical position, similar to that of materialism, that provides explanations in terms of underlying physical properties. See mechanical causality; mechanistic theory. 3. the concept of the human being as a machine. See mechanical-man concept. [credited to Julien Offray de La Mettrie]
4. in psychodynamics, see mental mechanism.