mechanic arts
English
[edit]Noun
[edit]mechanic arts pl (plural only)
- (archaic) In the 19th century, engineering and other mechanical fields of expertise (comparable to performing arts and the fine arts).
- (archaic) Weaving, blacksmithing, war, navigation, agriculture, hunting, medicine, and the ars theatrica.
Usage notes
[edit]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.
Related terms
[edit]- useful arts - probably encompassed the mechanic arts as well as craftsmanship in general.