mechanic

The story

1. Proto-Indo-European*megʰ-der.?
2. Ancient Greekμηχανή (mēkhanḗ)
3. Ancient Greekμηχανικός (mēkhanikós)
4. Latinmēchanicus
5. Old Frenchmecanique
6. Middle Englishmekanyk
7. English todaymechanic

From Middle English mekanyk (“mechanical”), from Old French mecanique, from Latin mechanicus (“of or belonging to machines or mechanics, inventive”), from Ancient Greek μηχανικός (mēkhanikós, “pertaining to machines or contrivance, mechanic, ingenious, inventive”), from μηχανή (mēkhanḗ, “a machine, contrivance”); see machine.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 16th c. A manual worker; a labourer or artisan.
• from 17th c. Someone who builds or repairs machinery, a technician; now specifically, someone who works with and repairs the mechanical parts of a motor vehicle, aircraft or similar.
• from 20th c. A function, rule or other implementation that dictates gameplay; a ludeme, a feature.
• from 20th c. A hitman.