Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - mechanical

 I. adjective  Date: 15th century  1.  a.  (1) of or relating to machinery or tools ~ applications of science a ~ genius ~ aptitude  (2) produced or operated by a machine or tool ~ power a ~ refrigerator a ~ saw  b. of or relating to manual operations  2. of or relating to artisans or machinists the ~ trades  3.  a. done as if by machine ; seemingly uninfluenced by the mind or emotions ; automatic her singing was cold and ~  b. of or relating to technicalities or petty matters  4.  a. relating to, governed by, or in accordance with the principles of mechanics ~ work ~ energy  b. relating to the quantitative relations of force and matter ~ pressure of wind on a tower  5. caused by, resulting from, or relating to a process that involves a purely physical as opposed to a chemical or biological change or process ~ erosion of rock  Synonyms: see spontaneous  • ~ly adverb  II. noun  Date: 1600  1. obsolete mechanic 1  2. a piece of finished copy consisting typically of type proofs and artwork positioned and mounted for photo~ reproduction