Where does “mechanism” come from?

Mechanism comes from Latin mechanismus, derived from Ancient Greek μηχανή meaning "device or machine," ultimately from Proto-Indo-European megʰ- meaning "to be able or help."

mechanism (English): Any mechanical means for the conversion or...

Definitions

  1. Any mechanical means for the conversion or...

Ancestry of “mechanism”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1New Latinmechanismus—
2Ancient Greekμηχανήcontrivance, machine, device, gear; way, means
3Ancient Greekμῆχοςmeans, expedient, remedy
4Proto-Indo-Europeanmeǵʰ-to be able

Words derived from “mechanism”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European meǵʰ- →Every word from Ancient Greek μῆχος →Every word from Ancient Greek μηχανή →