英汉词典

1. 机械装置;机件
    In a machine or piece of equipment, a mechanism is a part, often consisting of a set of smaller parts, which performs a particular function.

    e.g. ...the locking mechanism...
           锁定装置
    e.g. A bomb has been detonated by a special mechanism.
           炸弹由一个专门装置引爆。

2. 方法;途径;程序;机制
    A mechanism is a special way of getting something done within a particular system.

    e.g. There's no mechanism for punishing arms exporters who break the rules.
           对违规的武器出口商实施惩罚尚无执行机制。
    e.g. ...the clumsy and ineffective mechanism of price controls.
           方法笨拙、效率低下的价格控制机制

3. (人为生存、对付困境的)机制，行为方式
    A mechanism is a part of your behaviour that is automatic and that helps you to survive or to cope with a difficult situation.

    e.g. ...a survival mechanism, a means of coping with intolerable stress.
           一种生存机制，一种应对无法承受的压力的方法

4. see also: defence mechanism