Engineering

Lattice (noun) refers to a crisscrossed framework or mesh of intersecting strips or bars, often forming a grid or latticework. It can describe a decorative or structural framework, such as a lattice window or a lattice in mathematics and science. The term conveys an ordered, repeating pattern and can also denote a network or interlaced arrangement in various contexts.

Lever (noun) a rigid bar or rod that pivots around a fulcrum to lift or move a load, forming a simple machine. It can also refer to any device that exerts a force to achieve a mechanical advantage. In metaphorical use, it means something that provides power or influence to accomplish a goal.

Lifecycle is the sequence of stages that an organism, product, or system goes through from birth to end of life. It encompasses growth, development, and eventual decline, often analyzed to optimize performance, sustainability, or lifecycle management. In common usage, it refers to the ongoing progression of life stages or product-processor lifecycles in business contexts.

Limiter is a device or mechanism that restricts, caps, or controls a process or signal to prevent overflow or distortion. In technical contexts, it sets maximum levels; in music, it prevents clipping by compressing peaks. The term can also describe a limiter circuit in electronics or a limiter in software that constrains input values.

Lubricant is a substance – typically a liquid – used to reduce friction between surfaces in contact. It can be a mechanical oil or grease, a biological lubricant in the body, or a chemical additive in industrial processes. In everyday use, it describes anything that facilitates smooth movement or reduces resistance in a system.

Machining refers to the process of removing material from a workpiece to shape and finish it, typically using tools such as lathes, mills, or drills. It involves precise cutting, turning, and shaping operations driven by machine tools, producing parts with tight tolerances and specific surface finishes. The term encompasses techniques, equipment, and the skilled practice of manufacturing components.

A noun referring to a material or object that produces a magnetic field capable of attracting iron or steel; magnets can be permanent or temporary and are used in devices ranging from simple fridge magnets to sophisticated motors. In physics, a magnet is any body that has a magnetic moment and responds to magnetic forces, often composed of ferromagnetic materials. Pronunciation is stable across varieties, emphasizing a single primary stress on the first syllable.

Manifold (adjective) means many and various; having or composed of many different parts. It emphasizes abundance and diversity. In usage, it often describes a wide range of forms, aspects, or possibilities, suggesting complexity beyond a single dimension, with nuance that can be explored or elaborated.

Material (noun) refers to the substances or matter from which something is made, or the information and resources used to carry out a task. It also denotes materials or equipment in a load-bearing sense, and can describe material evidence. In everyday usage, it often contrasts with immaterial or abstract concepts, and appears in contexts from manufacturing to academic research. 2-3 syllables with primary stress on the second syllable.

Mechanic (noun) refers to a person skilled in repairing and maintaining machinery, especially engines. It can also describe a worker who follows established procedures and technical methods. In everyday speech, it also appears in phrases like “automechanic” or “mechanical engineer,” though the core sense remains hands-on repair expertise and technical aptitude.

Mechanism is a system of parts that work together to produce a particular result, or a process by which something occurs. It can refer to a machine or to a set of scientific or theoretical steps that explain how something functions. The term often implies a structured, engineered or causal framework behind a function or action.

Meter is a unit of measurement and a device that measures like distance or flow, as well as a rhythmic pattern in poetry or music. In everyday use it denotes the instrument or standard for gauging quantity, time, or intensity, and can refer to the rhythm scheme of a poem or song. It commonly appears in technical, poetic, and literary contexts.

A microsecond is one millionth of a second. It’s a very short unit of time used in computing and physics. In speech, it’s pronounced as two syllables: mi-crō-sec-ond, with the primary stress on the first syllable. The prefix micro- combines with second to form a precise temporal term common in technical contexts.

Milling refers to the act of cutting or grinding material, typically metal or grain, into smaller pieces using a rotating tool or wheel. It can also denote the process of milling in a milling machine, or the broader, informal sense of moving or grinding things down. In context, it often implies precise, repetitive material removal rather than shaping by hand.

Modulus refers to the absolute value of a real number, or more generally to a measure of size or magnitude in mathematics and engineering. In engineering contexts it often denotes the modulus (or absolute value) operator, while in geometry it can denote the flexible parameter describing a circle’s circumference relative to its diameter. The term is used across disciplines to indicate a nonnegative magnitude, irrespective of sign.

Motor (noun) refers to a device or mechanism that produces motion in a machine or system, or the driving part of a vehicle. It can also denote the active force that causes movement in an object. In everyday use, it often contrasts with a generator or brake, emphasizing propulsion or power source.

Nozzle is a narrow mouth or passage through which a fluid is directed or emitted, often tapering to a small opening. It functions to control flow, pressure, and direction, as in a hose, candle nozzle, or rocket engine. The term can also refer to a projecting mouthpiece on devices that release liquids, gases, or powders, shaping the spray or jet.

Optimization is the process of making something as effective or functional as possible, often by adjusting parameters to improve performance. In practice, it involves identifying constraints, evaluating options, and applying systematic methods to achieve best results. The term spans mathematics, computer science, engineering, and business contexts, and can refer to both algorithmic efficiency and resource utilization.

Oxidation is a chemical reaction where a substance loses electrons, often involving oxygen. It can also describe the process of rusting or browning when exposed to air. In broader terms, oxidation denotes any increase in oxidation state of a reactant and is a fundamental concept across chemistry and biology.