Mechanical routine (4)
I believe the answer is:
rote
'mechanical routine' is the definition.
(as in learning by rote)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for rote that I've seen before include "Unthinking repetition" , "Kind of memory - that tore it" , "mindless activity?" , "performance based solely on routine" , "Repetition for learners" .)