mechanic arts

English

Noun

mechanic arts pl (plural only)

  1. (archaic) In the 19th century, engineering and other mechanical fields of expertise (comparable to performing arts and the fine arts).
  2. (archaic) Weaving, blacksmithing, war, navigation, agriculture, hunting, medicine, and the ars theatrica.

Usage notes

The most famous usage of "mechanic arts" (and the one in which it is most commonly encountered today) is in the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act.

In the medieval period, the Seven Mechanical Arts were intended as a complement to the Seven Liberal Arts, and consisted of weaving, blacksmithing, war, navigation, agriculture, hunting, medicine, and the ars theatrica.

  • useful arts - probably encompassed the mechanic arts as well as craftsmanship in general.
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