| mecamylamine | <chemical> A nicotinic antagonist that is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and crosses the blood-brain barrier. Mecamylamine has been used as a ganglionic blocker in treating hypertension, but, like most ganglionic blockers, is more often used now as a research tool. Pharmacological action: antihypertensive agents, ganglionic blockers, nicotinic antagonists. Chemical name: Bicyclo(2.2.1)heptan-2-amine, N,2,3,3-tetramethyl- (12 Dec 1998) |
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| mecamylamine hydrochloride | 3-Methylaminoisocamphane hydrochloride;a secondary amine that blocks transmission of impulses at autonomic ganglia (similar to but more effective than hexamethonium); used in the management of severe hypertension. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Mecca balsam | An oleoresin from Commiphora opobalsamum (family Burseraceae), probably the myrrh of the Bible; used in perfumery. Synonym: Mecca balsam, opobalsamum. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mechanic | 1. The art of the application of the laws of motion or force to construction. 2. A mechanician; an artisan; an artificer; one who practices any mechanic art; one skilled or employed in shaping and uniting materials, as wood, metal, etc, into any kind of structure, machine, or other object, requiring the use of tools, or instruments. "An art quite lost with our mechanics." (Sir T. Browne) Origin: F. Mecanique mechanics. See Mechanic. 1. Having to do woth the application of the laws of motion in the art of constructing or making things; of or pertaining to mechanics; mechanical; as, the mechanic arts. "These mechanic philosophers." "Mechanic slaves, With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers." (Shak) 2. Of or pertaining to a mechanic or artificer, or to the class of artisans; hence, rude; common; vulgar. "To make a god, a hero, or a king Descend to a mechanic dialect." (Roscommon) "Sometimes he ply'd the strong, mechanic tool." (Thomson) 3. Base. Origin: F. Mecanique, L. Mechanicus, Gr, fr. A machine. See Machine. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| mechanical | 1. Pertaining to, governed by, or in accordance with, mechanics, or the laws of motion; pertaining to the quantitative relations of force and matter, as distinguished from mental, vital, chemical, etc.; as, mechanical principles; a mechanical theory; mechanical deposits. 2. Of or pertaining to a machine or to machinery or tools; made or formed by a machine or with tools; as, mechanical precision; mechanical products. "We have also divers mechanical arts." (Bacon) 3. Done as if by a machine; uninfluenced by will or emotion; proceeding automatically, or by habit, without special intention or reflection; as, mechanical singing; mechanical verses; mechanical service. 4. Made and operated by interaction of forces without a directing intelligence; as, a mechanical universe. 5. Obtained by trial, by measurements, etc.; approximate; empirical. See the 2d Note under Geometric. Mechanical effect, effective power; useful work exerted, as by a machine, in a definite time. Mechanical engineering. See the Note under Engineering. Mechanical manoeuvres, the application of mechanical appliances to the mounting, dismounting, and moving of artillery. Mechanical philosophy, the principles of mechanics applied to the inverstigation of physical phenomena. Mechanical powers, certain simple instruments, such as the lever and its modifications (the wheel and axle and the pulley), the inclined plane with its modifications (the screw and the wedge), which convert a small force acting throught a great space into a great force acting through a small space, or vice versa, and are used separately or in combination. <mathematics> Mechanical solution, a solution of a problem by any art or contrivance not strictly geometrical, as by means of the ruler and compasses, or other instruments. Origin: From Mechanic. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| mechanical abrasion | <procedure, surgery> A surgical procedure which involves the controlled abrasion of the upper layers of the skin to smoothen the skin and remove wrinkles, small scars or foreign bodies (tattoos). (27 Sep 1997) |
| mechanical alternation of the heart | A disorder in which contractions of the heart are regular but are alternately stronger and weaker. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mechanical antidote | A substance that prevents the absorption of a poison. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mechanical dysmenorrhoea | Dysmenorrhoea due to obstruction of discharge of menstrual blood, as in cervical stenosis. Synonym: obstructive dysmenorrhoea. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mechanical heart | Term loosely applied to any mechanical circulatory assist device. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mechanical ileus | Obstruction of the bowel due to some mechanical cause, e.g., volvulus, gallstone, adhesions. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mechanical intelligence | The capacity to understand and manage technical mechanisms. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mechanical jaundice | Jaundice resulting from obstruction to the flow of bile into the duodenum, whether intra-or extrahepatic. Synonym: mechanical jaundice. (05 Mar 2000) |
| mechanical stage | <microscopy> A device provided for adjusting the position of a specimen, usually by translation in two directions at right angles to each other. (05 Aug 1998) |
| mechanical strabismus | Strabismus due to restriction of action of the ocular muscle within the orbit. (05 Mar 2000) |