antimechanistic
|an-ti-mech-a-nis-tic|
/ˌæn.ti.mɛkəˈnɪs.tɪk/
against mechanistic explanation
Etymology
'antimechanistic' originates from Modern English, formed by combining the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against') with 'mechanistic' (from 'mechanism' ultimately from Greek 'mēkhanē' meaning 'device, machine').
'mechanism' traces back through Latin 'machina' to Greek 'mēkhanē' ('device, machine'); 'mechanistic' arose in later English to describe machine-like explanations, and 'antimechanistic' was formed in modern usage by adding the prefix 'anti-' to 'mechanistic'.
Initially elements meant 'against' + 'machine/device', but the combined adjective evolved to mean 'opposed to mechanistic explanations or approaches' rather than literally 'against machines'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
opposed to or rejecting mechanistic explanations, methods, or interpretations — i.e., those that reduce phenomena to merely mechanical processes or causes.
Her antimechanistic approach to social behavior emphasized purpose, context, and meaning rather than purely mechanical causes.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/03 15:02