Dictionary.com
definitions

mechanistic

[mek-uh-nis-tik]
adjective
  1. of or relating to the theory of mechanism or to mechanists.
  2. of or relating to mechanics.
  3. mechanical.

Origin of mechanistic

First recorded in 1880–85; mechanist + -ic
Related formsmech·a·nis·ti·cal·ly, adverban·ti·mech·a·nis·tic, adjectivean·ti·mech·a·nis·ti·cal·ly, adverbnon·mech·a·nis·tic, adjectivesem·i·mech·a·nis·tic, adjectiveun·mech·a·nis·tic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for mechanistic

Historical Examples of mechanistic

  • As in the mechanistic hypothesis, here again it is supposed that all is given.

    Creative Evolution

    Henri Bergson

  • This explains, in some measure, the mechanistic tendencies of physiology.

    Creative Evolution

    Henri Bergson

  • They had only the mechanistic world of their ships—which were vehicles, not a land.

  • The facts in their isolation, taken as complete in themselves, are not mechanistic.

  • Perhaps it is not clear what I mean by "the mechanistic outlook."

    The Problem of China

    Bertrand Russell

British Dictionary definitions for mechanistic

mechanistic

adjective
  1. philosophy of or relating to the theory of mechanism
  2. maths of or relating to mechanics
Derived Formsmechanistically, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
mechanistic in Medicine

mechanistic

[mĕk′ə-nĭs′tĭk]
adj.
  1. Mechanically determined.
  2. Of or relating to the philosophy of mechanism, especially one that tends to explain phenomena only by reference to physical or biological causes.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.