What is the Latin word for mechanical?

The usual Latin words for “mechanical” are mēchanicus, organicus, ars; also artificium. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“mechanical” in Latin

mēchanicusmechanical; engineering organicusinstrumental; organic arsart, skill, craft, handicraft; trade, occupation, employment; cunning, artifice, fraud, stratagem artificiumart, craft, skill, talent, artifice, craftsmanship; profession, trade, an employment

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

mechanical

PROP., mechanicus (Gell.); organicus (Vitr.): mechanical arts, artes; artificia, plur.

Figuratively, qui externo or alieno pulsu movetur; non suo judicio et sensu agens aliquid: a mechanical motion, corporis motus, qui fit sine consilio, sine sensu.

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for mechanical?: The usual Latin words for “mechanical” are mēchanicus, organicus, ars; also artificium. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.