Etymology: Middle English engin, from Anglo-French, from Latin ingenium natural disposition, talent, from in- + gignere to beget — more at kin
Date: 13th century
1obsoletea:ingenuityb: evil contrivance :wile 2 a: something used to effect a purpose :agent, instrument<mournful and terrible engine of horror and of crime — E. A. Poe>b: something that produces a particular and usually desirable result <engines of economic growth> 3 a: a mechanical tool: as (1): an instrument or machine of war (2)obsolete: a torture implement b:machineryc: any of various mechanical appliances —often used in combination <fire engine> 4: a machine for converting any of various forms of energy into mechanical force and motion; also: a mechanism or object that serves as an energy source <black holes may be the engines for quasars> 5: a railroad locomotive 6: computer software that performs a fundamental function especially of a larger program