mechanism

the atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction; "he determined unique mechanisms for the photochemical reactions"

the technical aspects of doing something; "a mechanism of social control"; "mechanisms of communication"; "the mechanics of prose style"

a natural object resembling a machine in structure or function; "the mechanism of the ear"; "the mechanism of infection"

(philosophy) the philosophical theory that all phenomena can be explained in terms of physical or biological causes

device consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts that perform some function