mechanisms
mechanisms — noun
- mechanismssingular
- mechanismsesplural
1. a part or set of parts inside a machine or device that move or work together so
a part or set of parts inside a machine or device that move or work together so that the machine can perform a specific task — for example, the winding mechanism of a watch or the lifting mechanism of a crane.
Theo opened the back of the remote control to look at its small plastic mechanism.
countable noun: a single part inside a device
A safety mechanism on the elevator stops it from moving when the doors are open.
compound noun: safety mechanism
Devika spent the afternoon cleaning the winding mechanism of her grandfather's old pocket watch.
The locking mechanism on the garden gate had rusted shut after years of rain.
Daichi watched the loading mechanism of the vending machine push a can of soda forward.
文法句型
mechanism + for + noun/gerund
mechanism + of + noun
用法筆記
This sense is always countable. It often pairs with a compound noun that names the device's function (e.g. locking mechanism, safety mechanism, winding mechanism). The plural form mechanisms is used when referring to more than one part or system within a machine.
常見錯誤
2. an organised system, method, or set of processes that is designed to achieve a p
an organised system, method, or set of processes that is designed to achieve a particular result, or that explains how something happens in nature, business, or society — for example, a legal mechanism for resolving disputes, or the biological mechanism by which a plant converts sunlight into food.
Yasmin studied the mechanism by which the human body regulates its temperature.
mechanism + by which + clause: explaining how a natural process works
The university has a clear mechanism for handling student complaints within thirty days.
mechanism + for + gerund: describing a formal process
Defne explained the pricing mechanism that keeps the cost of electricity stable during winter.
Scientists are investigating the precise mechanism that causes the disease to spread.
The old market relied on a simple supply-and-demand mechanism rather than government price controls.
文法句型
mechanism + for + noun/gerund
mechanism + of + noun
mechanism + by which + clause
用法筆記
Frequently used with of or for to introduce the goal or domain of the process (e.g. mechanism of evolution, mechanism for reporting errors). In academic and technical writing, mechanism by which is a common pattern that introduces an explanation of cause and effect.
常見錯誤
3. an unconscious pattern of thoughts, feelings, or actions that your mind uses to
an unconscious pattern of thoughts, feelings, or actions that your mind uses to protect you from emotional pain, anxiety, or situations that feel too difficult to handle — for example, making jokes about a frightening event instead of showing fear.
After losing her job, Amelia developed a coping mechanism of going for a long run every morning.
compound: coping mechanism — a behaviour that helps manage stress
The therapist explained that blaming others was a defence mechanism Ari used to protect his self-esteem.
compound: defence mechanism — an unconscious protective response
Hiro's mechanism for dealing with criticism was to joke about it rather than show that he was hurt.
Ayana realised that her habit of keeping extremely busy was a psychological mechanism to avoid thinking about her loneliness.
Repressing painful memories is an unconscious mechanism that can eventually cause more harm than good.
文法句型
defence mechanism
coping mechanism
mechanism for + gerund
用法筆記
Commonly appears in the compounds defence mechanism and coping mechanism. Unlike the other two senses, this sense always refers to an unconscious mental process, not a deliberate strategy. The phrase defence mechanism comes from Freudian psychology but is now used in everyday language.