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mécanisme

mechanism, system

noun meh-kah-NEEZ-muh Rare
Descriptions & Qualities

Origin: Greek 'mēkhanē' (machine, contrivance)

Also means

workings (of a process)

Usage Note

Mécanisme is used in both concrete contexts (le mécanisme d'une montre = the mechanism of a watch) and abstract ones (le mécanisme de défense = defence mechanism in psychology). The adjective mécanique means 'mechanical.' Comprendre les mécanismes of a system implies grasping how all its parts interact.

Examples

"Elle a expliqué le mécanisme du contrat."

Natural Translation

She explained the workings of the contract.

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