mechanics

Etymology 1

From Latin mēchanicus, from Ancient Greek μηχανικός (mēkhanikós), from μηχανή (mēkhanḗ, “machine, tool”).

noun

1. (physics) The branch of physics that deals with the action of forces on material objects with mass
2. The design and construction of machines.
3. (writing) Spelling and punctuation.
4. Operation in general; workings.
   the mechanics of a board game
   It was anticipated that children who encountered difficulty with the mechanics of word processing could turn to the coach for help rather than interrupt Margaret's work with a reading group. 1991, Marilyn Cochran-Smith, Cynthia L. Paris, Jessica L. Kahn, Learning to Write Differently, page 99

Etymology 2

noun

1. plural of mechanic