biochemical mechanism - a chemical mechanism involved in vital processes occurring in living organisms

chemical action, chemical change, chemical process - (chemistry) any process determined by the atomic and molecular composition and structure of the substances involved

carrying into action, carrying out, execution, performance - the act of performing; of doing something successfully; using knowledge as distinguished from merely possessing it; "they criticised his performance as mayor"; "experience generally improves performance"

natural object - an object occurring naturally; not made by man

barrier - anything serving to maintain separation by obstructing vision or access

transmission mechanism - any mechanism whereby an infectious agent is spread from a reservoir to a human being

biological clock - an innate mechanism in living organisms that controls the periodicity of many physiological functions

philosophy - the rational investigation of questions about existence and knowledge and ethics

philosophical doctrine, philosophical theory - a doctrine accepted by adherents to a philosophy

action mechanism, action - the operating part that transmits power to a mechanism; "the piano had a very stiff action"

actuator - a mechanism that puts something into automatic action

robot, automaton, golem - a mechanism that can move automatically

axis of rotation, axis - the center around which something rotates

carriage - a machine part that carries something else

cartridge ejector, ejector - a mechanism in a firearm that ejects the empty shell case after firing

cartridge extractor, cartridge remover, extractor - a mechanism in a firearm that pulls an empty shell case out of the chamber and passes it to the ejector

clockwork - any mechanism of geared wheels that is driven by a coiled spring; resembles the works of a mechanical clock

controller, control - a mechanism that controls the operation of a machine; "the speed control on his turntable was not working properly"; "I turned the controls over to her"

cooling, cooling system - a mechanism for keeping something cool; "the cooling was overhead fans"

delayed action - a mechanism that automatically delays the release of a camera shutter for a fixed period of time so that the photographer can appear in the picture

device - an instrumentality invented for a particular purpose; "the device is small enough to wear on your wrist"; "a device intended to conserve water"

drive - a mechanism by which force or power is transmitted in a machine; "a variable speed drive permitted operation through a range of speeds"

drive line, drive line system - mechanism that transmits power from the engine to the driving wheels of a motor vehicle

film advance - a mechanism for advancing film in a camera or projector

gear mechanism, gear - a mechanism for transmitting motion by gears for some specific purpose (as the steering gear of a vehicle)

homing device - the mechanism in a guided missile that guides it toward its objective

hydraulic system - a mechanism operated by the resistance offered or the pressure transmitted when a liquid is forced through a small opening or tube

ignition system, ignition - the mechanism that ignites the fuel in an internal-combustion engine

lock - a mechanism that detonates the charge of a gun

mechanical device - mechanism consisting of a device that works on mechanical principles

radiator - a mechanism consisting of a metal honeycomb through which hot fluids circulate; heat is transferred from the fluid through the honeycomb to the airstream that is created either by the motion of the vehicle or by a fan

rotating mechanism - a mechanism that rotates

steering linkage - mechanism consisting of a system of rods and levers connected to the front wheels of a motor vehicle; the steering gear pushes the steering linkage left or right which swivels the front wheels causing the vehicle to turn

steering mechanism, steering system - a mechanism by which something is steered (especially a motor vehicle)

tape drive, tape transport, transport - a mechanism that transport magnetic tape across the read/write heads of a tape playback/recorder

whirler - a revolving mechanism

workings, works - the internal mechanism of a device